7 replies to this topic

[Jeff007]

This is from MKKBB ianfleming.org:




Bond Stirs Up Vodka Choice


0300 GMT Sept. 20, 2002

LONDON - Bond still likes his vodka martinis "shaken, not stirred" but starting with Die Another Day, that vodka won't be the familiar Smirnoff.

Finlandia will now be Bond's official vodka of choice, according to a Wall Street Journal article on the new product-placement deal.

The deal ends Bond's decades-long relationship with Smirnoff, which had product placement in all Brosnan-era Bond movies.

Smirnoff said Bond no longer offered the demographics it was seeking to market to, according to the article.

Specific terms of the deal with Finlandia were not announced, but Finlandia will tout its role with print ads, posters, magazines and contests, according to the article.

NOW I HAVE TO BUY MORE VODKA!

[Blue Eyes]

I'm really really disappointed by that news. 40 years ago Bond drank Smirnoff, and now for one of the first times he shant Not a good thing in my opinion for the 40th Anniversary. Even if Smirnoff didn't pay for the rights, I think the brand should have been used. Just for this film.

[Blue Eyes]

James Bond and the phrase "shaken, not stirred" have always gone hand in hand, and while Bond will be shaking those Vodka Martini's for years to come it seems that's Bond's Vodka brand of choice are about to change with the release of Die Another Day.

The Wall Street Journal have reported that Finlandia will replace Smirnoff as Bond's choice of Vodka brand. The change came about after Smirnoff decided not to use product placement in Die Another Day as they believed the Bond films no longer reach the target audience they were seeking to promote their products too.

Details about Finlandia's contract for product placement have not been released. but Finlandia will tout its role with print ads, posters, magazines and contests, according to the Wall Street Journal.

If you'd like to discuss this news please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums. Thanks to 'Jeff007' for alerting us to the news.

Source: MKKBB: http://www.ianfleming.org

[Colonel Moonie]

I think that this makes complete sense. In the films where he's been seen drinking Smirnoff he's been drinking with A Russian former KGB agent - so it's safe to assume that Mister Zukovsky would prefer a home - produced tipple.

As for Tomorrow Never Dies didn't you all know that the room service waiter at the Atlantic Hotel, Hamburg is a Russian illegal immigrant called Boris?

So following on from this doesn't it make sense that he's drinking a local drink in Iceland?

[Solex Agitator]

While I am not overjoyed that Bond will be drinking Finlandia, I am happy that he is has passed on Smirnoff. Smirnoff is bottom shelf. It is not good Vodka. Even by Russian standards. I am a Stoli man. I would have like to see Bond switch to Stoli. It is distinctive AND it still tastes like vodka. Finlandia is lightweight in flavor and kick.

[1q2w3e4r]

YES! As a Vodka drinker I totally agree with you. Bond should be drinking Stolinichia (sp?) it is REAL vodka and packs a punch. Im somewhat dissapointed by this. I'd prefure the producers to also show some loyality to their partners rather than going for the highest bidder. (This doesn't include BMW. BUT Bond should have been in a DB7 in GE anyway in my opinion.)

[Spectre001]

Good call Solex Agitator...I only see one problem with it though. Opening the bottle once it has been shaken!!

[Bryce (003)]

Originally posted by 1q2w3e4r
YES!  As a Vodka drinker I totally agree with you.  Bond should be drinking Stolichnya

Bloody well right! I'm a devout Scotch man, but I have learned to appreciate a good martini and fine Vodka (especially with some good beluga and a bad girl;) ) and Stoli is top of the mark worldwide. Even the soviets drink it.

Finlandia is not without it's charm (a distinctive flavor to it although it is not a "flavored" vodka) and does fit with the whole "ice" theme.

As to Smirnoff, I'm sure Bond has bottle somewhere in the flat but he has been hitting the scotch lately - inbetween the VM's and Bollinger.