What is it: An article describing how Pyotr Smirnov, the originator of Smirnoff (French-twist added to the name by his exiled son) Vodka, may well have pioneered ‘guerrilla-marketing’ in the 1800s by rounding up men from various parts of the country and inviting them back to his house. Allowing the vodka to flow (and handing out some cash) they returned to their neighbourhoods to “order meat soups and demand Smirnov vodka.” It worked a treat.
Why is it cool: A “serf made good” story is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s cool because it reaffirms that some ideas are winners regardless of which century they are used (like word-of-mouth!). Some behaviours and motivations transcend era or origin.
Where to find it: here!
Submitted by: Linley Barden
