• Globe and Mail, Monday, March 26, 2012 10:26 AM

Belvedere Vodka was apparently poking fun at sexual assault in its advertising. The brand got a drubbing on social-media websites after it posted an ad on Facebook and Twitter on Friday. The ad showed a young man grabbing a woman from behind. The juxtaposition of his rakish leer, and her look of terror as she struggles to get away is more the issue than the text: “Unlike some people, Belvedere always goes down smoothly.” 

The ad was removed by mid-afternoon and the company posted an apology. “We apologize to any of our fans who were offended,” messages on Facebook and Twitter said. “…We continue to be an advocate of safe and responsible drinking.”

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