People are talking about alright - the way they talked about the launch of 'New Coke.' Is Absolut really so naive as to think that an English language ad run in a Mexican publication might not be seen by someone from north of the border, and then posted to the internet for all to see?

Granted, this ad may appeal to the Mexican audience (of which a very small number are vodka drinkers), but it has surely ticked off a much greater number of vodka drinkers in the U.S. This ad is either an example of strategic stupidity, or it's an example of an agency allowing their creatives to run amok, throwing common sense to the winds in favor of some shock value. In either case, the account/client services team should never have allowed this ad to be presented to the client.