Surprise, surprise: (http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/study-anti-american-sentiment-results-in-higher-global-sales-of-american-br/)
QuoteTwo distinguished political scientists, Peter Katzenstein (from whom I took a class in introductory international relations half a lifetime ago) and Robert Keohane, set out to investigate whether American companies were suffering because of American policies. They’re editing a book, Anti-Americanism in World Politics, to be published this fall by Cornell University Press. In one chapter, they trot out anecdotal evidence of European hostility to U.S. products. “It is plausible to believe that people who feel hostile toward the United States would be reluctant to purchase products form American firms, especially those products associated strongly with the United States,” they write.
To put the hypothesis to the test, Katzenstein and Keohane examined 2000-2004 European sales figures of three major U.S.-based consumer products firms (Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Nike) and three major European-based consumer products firms competing in similar fields (Cadbury Schweppes, Nestlé, and adidas-Salomon). In the GMI report I wrote about last year, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s were squarely nestled in the problem quadrant—identified in the survey as companies that were seen as highly American and that European and Canadian consumers said they’d be likely to avoid. Nike barely avoided the problem quadrant.
In the time period studied, the European sales of all six firms rose. But the sales of the U.S. firms grew more rapidly. (SLATE)
"We hate you... but gimme a quarter-pound with cheese! And I want my soft drink extra big!"
In a similar but less rigorous report, several years ago Palestinians in Jordan had threatened to boycott Coke. A few stands stopped carrying it to look patriotic but brought it back as their customers were just buying it elsewhere.
I guess politics pales compared to addiction to a particular taste.
That's because the U.S. puts in added Amerigoodness™ into every product shipped overseas. Or, in the case of Nike, imported from factories in developing nations (which Nike supplies with Extradevelopium™ to give those developing countries the proverbial glass of milk to help them grow big and strong) and then shipped back overseas.
Actually there's a streak of defiance in some people, and when something becomes unpopular or unacceptable they embrace it.
So, the frogs, for example, decide that american stuff is bad and some defiant frog youth run out and embrace it.
I feel comfort in living in perhaps the only country where Coca-Cola is pushed firmly into the number two position by a home brand.
As to the results of the study I have tons of anecdotal evidence of people I know who are against the foreign policy of the American government but have no problem with many American companies.
Quote from: Dominus NoxActually there's a streak of defiance in some people, and when something becomes unpopular or unacceptable they embrace it.
So, the frogs, for example, decide that american stuff is bad and some defiant frog youth run out and embrace it.
Frogs?
Frogs = Derogatory slang for French.
Batavian frogs = Oliver Cromwell's nickname for the Dutch.
Quote from: MartinFrogs?
It's British slang for Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys.