Wodka Vodka Ad Stirs Outrage

Wodka Vodka's Slogan is Causing Outrage in The Bronx (courtesy of aolin)

Wodka Vodka is pushing the boundaries of taste with its advertising campaigns. It began with a billboard along Manhattan’s West Side Highway featuring the slogan “Christmas Quality, Hannukah Pricing.” After complaints from the Anti-Defamation League got that billboard pulled, Wodka Vodka created a new variation along the Bronx’s Bruckner Expressway. Its selling point, “Escort Quality, Hooker Pricing,” hit close to home because the billboard was located close to Hunts Point, a community once notorious for prostitution.

Students at Lehman College were not amused.

“It’s tasteless,” Denise Ramirez, 22, said. Talisa Erezo, 22, agreed. “It’s offensive,” she said. “They can’t make references like that based on an idea or reputation. It’s just wrong.”

Psychology student Manuel Agosto, 29, felt that Wodka Vodka was capitalizing on Hunts Point’s notorious history. “I think it’s intentional,” he said. “They’re trying to market the infamy of the area.” Lenis Martinez agreed. “Hunts Point is originally known for hookers, but it’s not right,” Martinez said.

Senior Orlando Ureña, 23, felt Wodka Vodka should keep up with the times. “I used to live in Hunts Point and it doesn’t happen anymore,” he said. “You see more [prostitution] on Davidson [Avenue] and Kingsbridge [Road].”

Reporting done by Fermina Alcantara, Annette Siguenza, and Kinvelyn Guaba