WHY IT MATTERS

While it ultimately voiced definitive support of marriage equality, Coopers didn’t immediately react to the public outcry with a hardline stance. Rather, it stumbled through the backlash by releasing a string of conflicting messages. This is, of course, certainly the company’s right. But it seems to have been the wrong strategy, as it only inspired more derision. Laid out, the whole chronology of explanations reads like an inelegant crash course in PR crisis mismanagement.



A timeline:

* To early criticism, Coopers responded by defending the video, saying, “As a mature community it’s a debate we need to have but in a goodspirited [sic] and good natured way.” In that statement, it offered no qualms with its name being attached to the project.

* When that didn’t work, the brewery changed course a bit, claiming it did not give the group permission to so prominently feature its products in the video, nor was it acting as a sponsor.

* Finally, as the storm continued to rage, the brewery offered a solemn video apology, saying it “never intended to make light of such an important issue.” It was in this video where the company declared explicitly that it stands in support of marriage equality.

Coopers appears to have some inconsistent affiliations. According to the Sydney Morning Herald the company is a “longtime donor” to both Bible Society and other religious and conservative groups. Coopers itself—a 155-year-old company—has always upheld Christian values as a core tenet of its philosophy. At the same time, the Australian Financial Review notes that the company has also been a sponsor of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. But it's also perhaps worth noting that Coopers withdrew its sponsorship this past June.

As for the final about-face, in which the company made clear its support of gay marriage: that was published today (Tuesday, March 14), following days of boycott talk that had already begun to pick up steam, as a number of bars and drinkers started publicly swearing off the brand. It would be pure conjecture to say whether its newfound public support of same sex marriage is a response to boycott concerns or a genuine reflection of the company’s beliefs. But it’s probably safe to assume that Coopers is ready for this week to end.

—Dave Eisenberg



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