“A deceitful act”, says Talbot, who had conceived and created the reality television series Charity Mixology to raise money and awareness for charity.
(PRWEB) August 4, 2010
In September 2008, with much excitement and buzz, Absolut Vodka, LX.TV, and NBC Local Media, a division of NBC Universal, Inc., issued a joint press release announcing the launch of an online reality series called On the Rocks: The Search for America's Top Bartender. The show was designed to feature the best and brightest mixologists, who could showcase their style, personality and skills, and Absolut would be provided with "an innovative, multi-platform, promotional campaign" to market its products The 12-episode series premiered on November 8, 2008. Absolut Vodka is the exclusive sponsor to what LX.TV calls its "innovative, online reality project."
"A deceitful act", says Talbot, who had conceived and created the reality television series Charity Mixology to raise money and awareness for charity. Alleged in the complaint, on November 1, 2007, in exchange for the opportunity to participate in Charity Mixology, Absolut Vodka, its top executives, signed non-disclosure and non-compete contracts in which they expressly acknowledged that Talbot's idea for Charity Mixology was novel and confidential. Less than one year later, Absolut Vodka announced the launch of On the Rocks, which was virtually identical to Talbot's Charity Mixology.
Talbot filed suit against Absolut Vodka and its parent, Pernod Ricard USA, LLC, in December of 2008, alleging that Absolut Vodka and Pernod had breached their confidentiality and non-compete obligations. Talbot, the founder and creator of Charity Mixology explains "There has never been a more desperate need for corporate citizenship. Talbot believes, that Absolut Vodka and Pernod clearly broke their written contracts, and the court didn't hold them accountable and he is appealing the court decision"
An appeal of that decision was filed on July 28, 2010 by Talbot's counsel, Brown Rudnick LLP. Talbot hopes the appeal will address several key questions:
Why would senior Absolut Vodka executives participate in a presentation given by, and execute non-disclosure and non-compete agreements with, Talbot on November 1, 2007 had Absolut Vodka created its own mixology TV reality series prior to November 1, 2007?
Why would Absolut Vodka executives continue to attend meetings hosted by Talbot subsequent to November 1, 2007 to further learn about Charity Mixology, and the opportunities provided by it, had Absolut Vodka already created its own mixology reality series?
Why would Absolut Vodka make public statements that it was a major sponsor of Charity Mixology if it never intended to participate in Charity Mixology?
Why would a public relations spokesperson for Absolut represent that On the Rocks was created after Absolut's November 1, 2007 meetings with Talbot, where Talbot disclosed in confidence the details of Charity Mixology, if Absolut Vodka had already created On the Rocks prior to that meeting?
Should Talbot succeed on the pending appeal Talbot plans to donate 50% of any damages awarded to various charities both in the U.S. and in his native country of Australia, and allocate the balance as seed financing for various socially responsible community ventures. Talbot is seeking assistance from fellow philanthropists and supporters
Full details regarding the $68 Million legal controversy with Absolut Vodka at: http://www.absolutshame.com
Media contact: Simon Rens
Email: simonrens(at)me(dot)com
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