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Grolier Club Exhibitions

Absolut Vodka

Absolut Vodka: Country of Sweden. Sweden: Absolut [ca. 1980s]. See below.

According to Fowlers Publicity Encyclopedia, “The province of the advertising novelty is to present to the customer…something of a tangible or more less permanent value.” Absolut Vodka heeded these words and produced one of the most memorable ad campaigns. Their magazine ads included, among other things, a jigsaw puzzle, a microchip playing Christmas music, and, on Father’s Day, a tie. Sales went from 10,000 cases in 1980 to 4.5 million in 2000. There are three Absolut Facebook pages, one with over 4000 followers.

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Absolut Smith Recipes/Flip Book. Sweden: Absolut Vodka, 1996.

Flip the pages from one side of this booklet and Absolut vodka pours out from a bottle. Flip from the other side to read cocktail recipes.

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In an Absolut world, opportunities always pop-up. Tel Aviv, Israel: Absolut Vodka, [ca. 2009].

Follow the directions in Hebrew in this promotional piece to punch out the heavy Absolut vodka “Pop up and Serve Mini Bar” box, the “חבילת אספנות חדשה שהופכת למיני בר” [new collectible package that turns into a minibar]. Sold in limited editions, the packaging becomes a small garnish tray holding ice, munchies, and a small bottle of Absolut.