pasta company Barilla shocked by global backlash, trying to make amends

[Liberal_in_LA]

Reuters - Italian pasta maker Barilla has reacted to the global storm caused by its chairman's comments that he would never use a gay family in his advertising by saying it planned to make the company more diverse and run a more inclusive TV ad campaign.

Guido Barilla's remarks to a radio interviewer in September led to calls by gay rights groups to boycott the products of the world's biggest pasta maker, a company more than 130 years old based in the provincial city of Parma.

Social media quickly spread the comments that gave rise to numerous Internet satires, including one widely posted on Facebook and Twitter showing the trademark blue Barilla pasta box with the letters "Bigotoni" on it rather than "Rigatoni".

Chairman Barilla, the 55-year-old great grandson of the company's founder, has since held at least eight meetings with gay organizations and activists both in Italy and in the United States, a market where it is counting on for growth outside its crisis-hit home market.

"Italy is a very insular country, and in cities like Parma it's even more so," company spokesman Luca Virginio told Reuters, saying the firm had been shocked by the global backlash.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/barilla-fix-anti-gay-scandal-article-1.1506397

[PoliticAverse]

1. Maybe they could try giving away lots of boxes of rainbow colored pasta... n/t

[KittyWampus]

25. and donate proceeds to a GLBT youth outreach program.

[Lex]

2. They are just sorry they lost business.

I really have a hard time believing they are suddenly enlightened. The company spokesman is still searching for something else to blame: "Italy is a very insular country . . . " Oh please.

[brewens]

16. Kind of like the tearful Jimmy Swaggart "I'm so sorry I got caught" display! n/t

[Heather MC]

19. Exactly

Don't believe the hype.

Dreamfield makes better pasta anyway

[winterpark]

26. You're absolutely right. The week that he said that crap we had decided on pasta and

and osso buco for one of our dinners and when my other half reached for the barrilla pasta, I very loudly announced in the pasta aisle which had quite a few people, "put that back, I'm not putting money in some biggot's pocket by buying his stuff". We heard some murmurs around us and I hope we encouraged others to have a conscience about what they were buying. At least for that minute. We ended up buying an organic pasta

[RKP5637]

55. Excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[krkaufman]

61. One step further...

I'm thinking I need to do a bit of research to take my personal boycott one step further, and identify a mailing address for the company ... to which I can begin mailing the box tops for all the packages of pasta I'll be buying from their competitors.

[RKP5637]

52. Mental note to me. Never buy from these fuckers again. They don't give a damn about LGBT. Also,

Italy insular, where the F have they been, under which rock. What a lame excuse.

[BillyRibs]

80. YEP!

[radhika]

84. Actually it's PENinsular..... n/t

[JeffHead]

3. Too late....

Already purged the pantry of all Barilla products and have issued a lifetime ban. In other words.......

[Ed Suspicious]

4. Being hit in the wallet is the only pain these people feel. But they feel it viscerally like a kick

to the nads.

[Starry Messenger]

5. Their section of the shelf in the Safeway barely had any holes in it this weekend

Lots of other pastas were selling quickly. It was good to see.

[ZombieHorde]

6. My wife and I almost always bought their brand,

but we stopped when those bigoted remarks were made public. Their pasta is good, but their homophobia is repulsive.

[adirondacker]

7. Same here. Not much difference in taste with commercial pasta and Barilla was usually the cheapest.

Fuck em. I'll pay the extra quarter for their competitor's brand.

[gvstn]

9. Yes, I liked Barilla and usually bought it.

I remember reading where Ronzoni is the best store bought dry pasta. So I just switched to that one.

Not really sure I can taste the difference but it is fairly easy to avoid Barilla.

I don't like the tone of the apology so far, more about we are willing to go with new ad campaigns but we/I still hate gay people.

Just make a good product and sell it, no gay person cares if commercials only show Italian grandmothers--just don't intentionally say you think gay people are disgusting.

[KurtNYC]

22. Ronzoni has a smoother texture

Seems softer than others. I like it for lasagna but not as much for pasta + sauce combos where a firmer pasta has better mouth feel.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

32. Garafalo pasta at Costco! The best...

Having eaten a lot of pasta in Italy, I can say this one comes closest to authentic.

[stanwyck]

40. Good rec. I shop at Costco - I'll try Garafalo n/t

[Phentex]

75. Ours still has the barilla...

not sure for how long.

[Ed Suspicious]

36. We love Creamette brand. Not sure about their politics but I like it better than Barilla.

[matt819]

72. Same here

Barilla was my default purchase. Hasn't been since this debacle, and won't be ever again. There are tons of choices in pasta and sauce. I'd been wondering about the impact. Glad to see it's continuing.

[CoffeeCat]

8. They only want their profits back...

They certainly haven't changed their attitudes and their bigotry. They're not sorry for their
bigotry--they're upset at the profits that they've lost.

Barillia doesn't need to pretend that they're something that they're not, just to increase profits. First, they were bigots, and now they're greedy bastards who will say whatever to whomever--to increase shareholder value.

Sorry. No.

[Rambis]

27. Yep, Oh shit we damaged the brand!

An epiphany about not discriminating based on sexual orientation this is not-

[RKP5637]

54. Oh, the poor homophobic bigots. We hope they sink outta sight. They don't give a

damn about LGBT, only greed and $$$$$. They will say whatever it takes to drain cash into their pockets. Well fuck them, we will never buy their products, and we're spreading it around. We just don't fall for this crap, oh, we are sorry we're homophobic bigots and we suddenly changed. F that nonsense.

[Gravitycollapse]

10. I'll believe them when they fire Chairman Barilla.

[gopiscrap]

11. what do you expect? Homophobic fuckers!!!!

[Decaffeinated]

77. The story got bolstered beyond the original info...

It went from..

Barilla has declined to use a homosexual couple in their ads as they don't believe it would be beneficial to their business

to...

ARGH HATE DAMN BIGOT HATE HATE HATE... It's the Westboro Babtist's with gluten!!!11!!!

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Easiest fix is the chairman resigns, but...

that may not happen if they just don't get it.

Meanwhile, how many Italians are going to be out of work in the pasta factory because of this guy?

[krkaufman]

62. Americans, as well.

They have a plant outside Ames, Iowa, that I've driven by on the way to my brother's place, plus another in New York state (per Wikipedia).

[xocet]

13. ...Used to buy Barilla... That was clearly a mistake that need not be repeated. n/t

[rocktivity]

14. "Italy is a very insular country, and in cities like Parma it's even more so..."

What's Italian for "When you're in a hole, stop digging"?


rocktivity

[hatrack]

24. Yes, "We're a bunch of inbred country fucks" isn't exactly a visit to the morality carwash

nt

[Arugula Latte]

42. "We'd heard rumors about this thing called the Worldwide Web, but we'd thought it was mythological..

Until now."

[Lex]

50. Galileo tried to tell them about the global thing in the 1600's

and still this "global backlash" surprises them.

[dballance]

53. uh...yep. We have marketing, and distribution around the world... BUT

BUT. We don't really have a clue as to what's going on around the world with regard to the culture and equal rights for people in the markets we serve. BULLSHIT!!!!

He started off with the stupid by saying Italy is insular. Since when?

[Buddha_of_Wisdom]

56. Knowing Italy is the home of the world's biggest asshole

and I'm not talking about the Pope.....

[Lugnut]

15. I prefer DeCecco.

I can't always find a good selection, though. Barilla is on sale a lot so I usually buy that. I've been avoiding Barilla since Guido Barilla dismissed any chance that he'd use a gay family in his ads. My guess is that his bottom line took a hit from his bigoted stance.

[Quasimodem]

69. Yes. Expect to see Barilla on sale a lot more in the future n/t

[Phentex]

76. It's down at our Publix...

which carries several other brands so I think people are choosing them over the Barilla.

[AllyCat]

17. Had they not lost money, they wouldn't have given a rats behind

about offending anyone. But money talks...and so, they walk it back. They've lost me forever.

[ReRe]

18. Shoulda never said it...

Can't take it back now. Too bad, so sad. BaBye!

[liberalla]

20. Shocked! Shocked, I tell you!

Kind of funny... It's always on sale and marked down these days.

They finally pay attention when they lose money.

[Javaman]

21. I don't think anyone could have predicted this. nt

[SoCalDem]

23. Perhaps, if you are in commerce, you should just STFU about your personal beliefs

make a quality product...market it to EVERYBODY...

If someone asks you a "difficult" question, you can always reiterate that your product is for anyone who likes "whatever it is"..

If you cannot resist the opportunity to show your bigotry/misogyny/xenophobia/racism/sexism, then you just take your lumps and move on..

[Myrina]

33. ^^ this ^^

n/t

[whopis01]

37. I have never understood that behavior.

How bigoted do you have to be to go out of your way to make sure that a certain group (or those who support that group) don't buy your product?

[IronLionZion]

59. Very bigoted, and they are focused on supporters of their bigoted views

they often forget that the insulted group has supporters too. If they only associate with those who share their beliefs, they may falsely assume that most everyone might share it too.

[Phentex]

28. Another pasta company should air a commerical during Modern Family...

showing all kinds of families enjoying their pasta. I think it would be a huge marketing boon!

[liberalla]

39. I think you're right and I'm a little surprised no one has done it yet.

That's a GREAT idea.

[rurallib]

29. maybe they could team with Chick-fil-a

and create a meal called bigotteti.
Or maybe in a twofer the chairs of Barilla and Chick-fil-a could get married.

[TeeYiYi]

30. Nobody cares, Guido!...

Nobody cares if you've now decided to make your company "more diverse." A tiger can't change it's stripes.

Suck it, Guido.

TYY

[byronius]

31. There will be little chance of recovery. I would never purchase another box.

Mostly because corporations without a clear moral compass aren't to be trusted, at all, not ever, no way.

The original corporate form was conceived by the Dutch, then adopted by the British and Americans; it still has as an unenforced agreement that corporations must serve the public good first, before the interests of the shareholders. If a company commits a social crime, there is no legal form of redress but execution by consumers.

Barilla should lose market share, and never recover it. Ten bucks says every other pasta maker will then be incredibly nervous about ever appearing homophobic. And that's a good thing.

Adam Smith and the internet are helping us fight back against Scalia and the Amoral Corporate Forces.

[Egnever]

47. I am with you on that

They lost me as a customer for life with this. Well maybe if they fired this guy and hired an openly gay ceo I might reconsider but it would take something very extraordinary for them to ever get my business back.

[Renew Deal]

34. I'll never voluntarily eat Barilla

NEVER!

[krkaufman]

63. Saw VII

I think you've just set the scene for your cameo in 'Saw VII.'

[woodsprite]

35. Wasn't feeling well or paying attention at the store and almost picked up a box.

My daughter said "Mom, put that back. Let's buy this one. Buying Barilla pasta is just like buying gas from BP."

Good girl!!!

[krkaufman]

64. Made me laugh...

"Good mom," too. (She had to learn it somewhere.)

[MADem]

38. Saw a pile of that shit on sale in my grocery store at discount prices....they cannot give it away.

I buy Dreamfields pasta anyway...tastes more like Neapolitan pasta than that shitty, overprocessed Barilla does, anyway.

I don't know why they tout it as anything special, it has all the "cachet" of Stop and Shop pasta amongst food shoppers in Italy. It's like Wonder Bread--a national brand, but certainly not haute cuisine.

As for "Chairman Barilla" all I have to say is 'che schifo! Stronzo!!!!' Someone should have taught that asshole that you only get one chance to make a good first impression, and he will forever be known as Bigotarilla!!

[ellie]

41. Barilla is 10 for $10 at my King Soopers

I bought another brand.

[EC]

43. just passed on barilla

and bought family dollar store brand spagetti yesterday, just because of this.

[tblue]

44. I am all for redemption and forgiveness.

I believe in rewarding people who learn from their mistakes and then choose a higher road.

I'm sure this do-over is profit-driven, but it doesn't matter really. We can't control what anyone feels or thinks; but hopefully we can influence what they do. This time, it appears we've succeeded. We shall see if they've really changed their tune. I really hope so. Conversions to the good side are welcome, and the converted should be embraced. imho.

[Blue Owl]

45. Pasta la vista, baby

Maybe they could start advertising on Limbaugh

[Blue Idaho]

46. You can't un-ring a bell - asshole. nt.

[greatlaurel]

48. Barilla was the first brand in our area to sell whole-wheat pasta

We have health issues where we need to eat lots of whole grains. However, the other companies have caught up. Just bought some whole-wheat Ronzoni on sale for a great price at Kroger's. The best whole-wheat pasta, IMO, is the Meijer store brand organic pasta. Not too expensive and tastes great.

No more Barilla in our house. I am glad he made those stupid statements, so I know not to buy their products. I boycott anything from Koch owned industries. I will not shop at a store that opens on Thanksgiving.

[DeSwiss]

49. K&R

Wah, wah, wah, waahhh.

[RKP5637]

51. Yeah, only concerned about $$$$$. They don't give a fuck about LGBT! n/t

[OregonBlue]

57. Too little too late. As if he cared about LGBT people. He cares about $$$.

[Coexist]

58. I still don't buy nestle products, barilla is in that same "just say no" category for me now

not that either company cares... lol.

[Lithos]

60. F*CK them

Better pasta is easily available.

L-

[pitbullgirl1965]

65. List of Pasta Companies pro gay advertisments in reaction to Barilla

Last edited Wed Nov 6, 2013, 01:37 AM - Edit history (1)

http://laurenkgray.com/2013/09/27/pasta-companies-post-pro-gay-messages-in-response-to-barilla/
Awesome. Bertolli 1865 even had a interracial pasta couple. *
And one with a dog!

*Interracial pasta couple. Now there's a sentence that's never been uttered before. Good name for a band.

ETA: De Cecco is an excellent dried pasta. It has a light, bright taste I haven't found in other brands.

http://www.dececcousa.com/DeCecco-way/?Pagina_Mondo=2

[AnneD]

68. I did not know....

about the Barilla bruhaha, but I did see the Bertolli 1865 ad. I understood the drift and loved it.

[pitbullgirl1965]

66. Good old sexism at play too.

In the interview I just wanted to underline the centrality of the woman’s role in the family
Yes, because us wimmins are only good for cooking, cleaning and birthing babies.
Not to mention: I'm sure there are men who would like to be househusbands.
Or men that split house duties equally with their husbands/boyfriend/wife/girlfriend.

I don't people who inject their politics into business, liberal or conservative. Do you really want to alienate customers?
I won't buy a product or use someone's services if they advertise their conservative leanings or religion.

[awoke_in_2003]

67. Growing up in the Cleveland suburbs...

when I hear Parma I think this

http://m.

[Auggie]

73. I think of white socks ...

former eastside Clevelander here. Grew up with with Ghoulardi, Polka Varieties and Dorothy Fuldheim.

How did all that get started anyhow? I've been to Parma, Ohio, and it's a nice place.

[awoke_in_2003]

83. it started with Ghoulardi...

Sweed used most of his stuff with Ghoulardi's blessing. Ghoulardi was a bit before my time, though. I lived in Brook Park, and they got jabbed, too, just not as bad as Paaaarma

On edit- haven't had a good pierogi since I moved to Texas

[LibertyLover]

70. We stopped buying Barilla

immediately after their Chairman's comments came to light. I was brought up eating Ronzoni and that's what we'll get from now on. And after reading about how one of Italy's governmental ministers, who was born in Africa but immigrated to Italy and is married to an Italian, has been treated (bananas thrown at her, etc.), "insular" doesn't quite explain Italy. Now bigoted and backward do come a little closer to describing it as far as I'm concerned.

[penultimate]

71. I actually sent them an email about this...

I'm guessing many others did too. I never ate their pasta anyway, so I couldn't boycott it myself, but I sure many people stopped buying it.

The fact that they got hurt enough by it shows that we're going a direction in which a great deal of people don't tolerate such bigotry.

[valerief]

74. FU, Barilla. We don't need you. nt

[Iggo]

78. Soooooooooo many pasta options.

Barilla's learning an expensive lesson.

[appleannie1]

79. Amazing how a whack to the pocketbook changes a public tune. Shame it does not change the private

tune and personal thoughts.

[blkmusclmachine]

81. Barilla.

Tastes like HATE

IMHO

[johnd83]

82. Who knew that a company that sells boring processed carbs

could make such an ass out of themselves.

[Hugin]

85. I haven't bought any since, and I'm not likely to go back.

I've found much better alternatives.