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From: record@force.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com
Subject: Snapple Battles Rumor with Ad
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 93 14:00:56 GMT

Snapple Battles Rumor With Ad Snapple Beverage Co began an advertising campaign Wednesday aimed at fighting rumors that the manufacturer of brewed ice teas and soft drinks supports the Ku Klux Klan and Operation Rescue.

Headlined "The Plain Truth," the advertisement appearing in major Northern California newspapers said the Valley Stream, NY, company denies the rumors as false.

"We are not involved in any way whatsoever with the KKK, Operation Rescue or any other type of pressure group or organization, period," the ad said.

The rumors about the KKK began circulating almost a year ago in the San Francisco Bay area, but the company decided not to respond immediately. Now it worries that the false rumors will spread nationwide and disrupt sales.

"They are so ridiculous we thought they would go away, but they didn't," said Leonard Marsh, Snapple president. "It reached the point it was getting out of hand and we had to address it."

One rumor suggests a small letter K printed on Snapple labels stands for the KKK. Instead, the symbol means that Snapple, like Coca-Cola and thousands of other famous products, meets Kosher dietary standards.

Another story says the illustration on the label of Snapple iced tea portrays ships bringing black slaves to America. But the photo, from the Bettmann Archive, is a drawing of the Boston Tea Party.

"We are 3 Jewish boys from New York accused of supporting the Ku Klux Klan--something I despise," Marsh said. "I can't handle it anymore. I support people going against the Ku Klux Klan."

The advertisement lists the "K" symbol and the boat but does not mention any specifics of the rumor concerning Operation Rescue, a militant anti-abortion group.

The company also plans a campaign this week on several area radio stations.

The rumors could also be fueled by the fact that arch-conservative radio and TV personality Rush Limbaugh is a paid spokesman for the product. Marsh said Limbaugh was chosen for his high ratings, not his politics.

(From AP)