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24
Feb
2021

Marks & Spencer Renamed Its Canned Martini

by Michael Kotendzhi | Food & Drink
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M&S’s launched cocktail martini had raised concern by the renowned UK alcohol watchdog, the Portman Group, in 2018. The canned martini was called “Porn Star Martini” that linked to promoting sexual context. Although no explicit mean was displayed on the packaging, but consumers might misinterpret and confound the brand by stereotyping its connection to porn. 

The fruity vodka cocktail with passion fruit was generally known as a porn star martini, which had nothing associated with M&S’s product. The other manufacturers and distributors were able to correlate the mix without using the name “Porn Star”, therefore, the Portman Group indicated that M&S should consider a different way to promote the beverage to avoid such great concern.  

As one of the endorsers for the Portman Group, the spokesperson at M&S had expressed the regret that in fact, this line of product was one of their most popular sellers in the retails when it first launched in 2018. However, the retailer would comply with the codes and rename the beverage to “Passion Star Martini”.  

The Portman Group is the self-regulatory in the UK to assist the alcohol industry in practicing under codes and social responsibility.   


Michael Kotendzhi is President of Operations & Transportation and a partner at 18 Wheels. Michael has over 15 years of experience and is equipped with a degree in Logistics from the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business. As well as a background in logistics from XPO Logistics (formally Kelron Logistics), North America's largest contract warehousing provider.

Michael's experience includes supply chain management, reverse logistics, & domestic transportation. He has developed 18 Wheels' trucking solutions, effectively utilizing the sister company's vehicle fleet and building a transportation supply-chain network across North America.