To Buy or Not to Buy Miller

Charlie points out that Miller has issued an apology for the use of its logo on a promotional poster for the Folsom Street Fair.

Here is Miller's Press Release, October 26, 2007:

Miller Brewing Company today issued a formal apology for the offense caused by the use of Miller brand logos on a poster promoting the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. The company said it has taken action to ensure that such an incident will not happen again.

Miller has just completed an exhaustive audit of its marketing procedures for approving local marketing and sales sponsorships, and it is implementing plans to tighten its compliance procedures. The company has received assurances from its local distributor in San Francisco and from Folsom Street Events that future marketing materials and event activities will fully comply with Miller’s marketing policies and procedures.

“We deeply regret that we did not adhere to our own policies with regard to the Folsom Street Fair,” said Miller Senior Vice President Nehl Horton. “We apologize to everyone we offended as a result. We hope people will forgive us for this serious error and have confidence we will not repeat it.”

Miller did not have the opportunity to review or approve the Folsom Street Fair poster, but accepts full accountability for this serious mistake.

“Miller Brewing was never afforded the opportunity to review our Fair poster before it was printed and distributed,” said Andy Copper, Board President of Folsom Street Events. “The approval was made by a third party without Miller’s knowledge and consent.”

Copper also issued an apology on behalf of the organization which distributed the controversial poster.

“I would like to apologize to anyone who felt that the image was disrespectful to their religious beliefs,” said Copper. “No malicious intent was involved.”

In addition to issuing a formal public apology today, Miller sent letters of apology to Catholic Archbishops George H. Niederauer of San Francisco and Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee.

“Like all major brewers, Miller seeks to market respectfully to a wide and diverse array of consumers,” Horton concluded. “But when one group actively disrespects another, we cannot support its events and activities.”

It's clear that Miller has apologized for the poster incident.

What's not so black and white is whether Miller will sponsor the Folsom Street Fair again.

The final paragraph states that Miller won't support the events and activities of a group that actively disrespects another.

Does that mean that Miller has dropped sponsorship of the fair?

The press release doesn't directly address that.

I haven't purchased or consumed any Miller products for about a month.

Is it time to buy Miller again?

If I don't buy it, it won't be because of Miller's sponsorship of a group that smeared Catholics.

It will be because there are better beers.