The Globe & Mail Report on Business runs a story today about Pepsi’s historical strength in the province of Quebec relative to Coca Cola. It’s a business story about a brand strategy. With a title like “Pepsi waves the Fleur-de-lis in Quebec”, it’s bound to get reactions that have little to do with business.
Comments from some who have “joined the conversation” on the Globe and Mail’s site show how tapping into the nationalist spirit can be touchy business.
One comment from a writer who identifies himself/herself as “A Better Canada from noquebec” reads:
For once, I will support Quebec and montrealheat. BazzaRichie you are just an idiot and racist.
You should be in Quebec too, a racist province. We must recognize how brilliant Pepsi has been in promoting their product in Quebec and other places in this world. Not typical arrogant Americans...trying to convert the whole world to their own incompetent and insulting manners. Pepsi is one of an American success....so few, left...like so few head offices left in Quebec. Even a non-civil society can appreciate products linked to their surroundings. Vive le Pepsi libre.
Another who goes by “montrealheat” writes:
BazzaRichie, your ignorance and stupidity amazes and does not surprise me… Montreal has some of the best cuisine and restaurants in North America. Summertime festivals such as the Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs Fest, International Fireworks competition, and the list goes on and on, are known around the world. Do some research before you go and open your idiot of a mouth!
So what did “BazzaRichie” write that was so stupid and racist?
The traditional Quebec breakfast of Pepsi and a Mae West is a given for the company. Perhaps we will see a new beverage to accent that high dining experience known as Poutine. After all Quebec has so much to teach us about joyful living - I learned that from my compulsory french appreciation programming on the peoples network.
Oh well.
For a related article, read this item I published in Marketing Magazine in 2006 entitled “I AM Quebecois.”
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