NOG PARTY XVI:
So sustainable you can taste it!
BUSINESS TIMES -- PITTSBURGH, Penna. -- Nogmakers Steve Schlosser and Reed Taylor founded the Nog Party sixteen years ago in a dorm room, according to simple principles, and subsequently rose to fame and fortune on the holiday beverage circuit. Over the years, in spite of their successes in business and government, they have enjoyed a public image of being kindhearted, "regular" people -- in short, "guys you'd like to have a Nog with."
Lately, however, they have come under criticism for having lost touch with their "little-guy" roots and corresponding ethics. Those accusations have intensified following the recent announcement of acquisition plans for their nog-making enterprise by Globobev, a multinational holiday beverage supplier that is a subdivision of Eggxon.
In response to the wave of media and public scrutiny, Schlosser and Taylor have embarked on an aggressive campaign to remake their company's image. In a recent press conference, Schlosser said, "As 'global citizens,' our first concern is that we want to reduce the overall carbon footprint of our business. To this end, we want to encourage all our friends and consumers to put as many carbs as possible into themselves -- it's our way of keeping Nog and Nog byproducts out of the landfills.
"In addition, we want to begin using our tremendous profits to support worthwhile causes. We think everyone should start to 'Drink locally, snack globally'. We're not totally sure what that means but we have reasonable confidence that it sounds friendly to the environment."
The nogmakers have announced
the launch of a line of apparel, known as the "PRODUCT(egg)" campaign,
in support of their new brand image. The shirts can be seen for sale
at http://www.zazzle.com/nogparty/
Following the launch of the apparel store, Schlosser and Taylor came under criticism. Critics allege that the line of clothing has been put forth for purely profit-driven motives, and that the supported charitable goals serve only as a thin veneer to increase the shirts' appeal to recession-ravaged consumers. Watchdog groups have lately questioned even the existence of some of the charities said to benefit from the clothing sales, notably the "Cash for Cluckers" program touted as a major beneficiary.
In response to these accusations, Taylor said, "Indeed our rebranding effort and associated clothing sales have proven to be enormously profitable. But I'd like to call your attention away from that topic and instead to these awesome t-shirts that you want. Beware of cheap nog-offs! Just think how aware your friends will think you are once they see you sporting this awareness-wear!"
But shirts are only the beginning, says Taylor. "We're all about backing the little guy, which is why we now offer single-origin nog. Yes, this nog was produced entirely in a single high-density, high-throughput factory environment located in the Cleveland Flats. So sustainable you can taste it!"
---- The Sixteenth Annual Nog Party is here! When:January 16, 2010 (NEW! Earth-friendly date!) Starts at 6:00 PM (NEW! Baby-friendly hours!) Where: 5552 Beacon St. #3 (NEW! Eco-friendly location!) What:NOG! Who:You! Please RSVP so we can be sure to have enough NOG!