Dr Pepper Continuing To Operate In “All Publicity Is Good Publicity” Mode

So, after all the advance hype which led to disappointing sales numbers which led to people pointing their fingers toward Axl Rose for not promoting Chinese Democracy at all, the blame game surrounding the long-delayed Guns N’ Roses album has finally focused in on… Dr Pepper! Yes, the soft-drink pushers, which offered the world a (coupon for a) free sample of its beverage in honor of Chinese Democracy‘s release date, got into a bit of (uncarbonated) hot water when the Web site it created for the promotion crashed under the stress of all those people who weren’t buying Axl’s album trying to wring their free soda out of it. Axl’s lawyers whipped off a letter saying that the stunt was “a complete fiasco.” (I’d think that in the grand scheme of things, the decision to go with the clowns at Best Buy for the exclusive distribution of a piece of recorded music, and not, say, a flat-screen TV, was the biggest fiasco of all, but who asked me, right?) What does Dr Pepper have to say about it?

We are disappointed that Gn’R’s lawyers are turning a fun giveaway into a legal dispute…. We simply commented on the delayed release of Chinese Democracy and openly encouraged the band to release it before the end of the year. Axl even expressed support for our efforts earlier in the year…

This was one of the largest responses we have ever received for a giveaway, and we’re happy we were able to satisfy the thirst of so many Dr Pepper fans. We wish Guns n’ Roses the best with their album.

“We wish Guns n’ Roses the best with their album”? Oh, that is cold. God, I hope that this whole fiasco inspires them to somehow hook up with Taco Bell for some “Who Cares About Music Anyway” value meal. (Just this time, guys, slip the coupons into the newspaper. People do still read them!)

Dr Pepper Responds To Guns N’ Roses Free Soda “Fiasco” Lawsuit [Rolling Stone]