Say Vodka Pitch Insulted Women
State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz praised the Panache Beverages company, manufacturer of Wodka Vodka, for removing an offensive billboard in Willets Point.
The billboard in question pronounced “Escort Quality, Hooker Pricing.” Stavisky and Simanowitz wrote to the CEO of Panache Beverages asking that the billboard be taken down given the efforts and resources put into Willets Point to develop the area and make it a residential and retail center.
“I’m glad the vodka company agreed to remove the billboard. These billboards had previously sprung up all around the city, and we took particular exception with placing such a distasteful and disturbing advertisement in a neighborhood we have worked so hard to rehabilitate,” said Stavisky. “Some might think this issue is a silly distraction, but I subscribe to the broken window theory. If we send a message that denigrating women is acceptable, or worse, fashionable, then we shouldn’t be outraged when that message is acted upon.”
“The offensive nature of this ad in such close proximity to a family destination like Citi Field was highly inappropriate,” said Assemblyman Simanowitz. “Keeping such content out of the view of young children should be a priority. I commend Panache Beverages for listening to the concerns of the community and making the right decision to take down this billboard.”
The billboard in question was located on 127th Place at Northern Boulevard in the Willets Point area, overlooking Citi Field.
Panache Beverages has also had a previous history with offensive billboards. Last November, Panache took down a billboard that read “Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing” after protests by the Anti- Defamation League.
