W Hotel objects to use of "W" by Bush campaign merchandisers
Aug 4, 2004, 2:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
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W Hotel objects to use of "W" by Bush campaign merchandisers
Cute "Page 6" story from the New York Post online edition: http://www.nypost.com/gossip/28411.htm
Geez, and I thought a company with such a big presence in Austin would be more supportive. 
THE W hotel chain is aggressively laying claim to the letter W, no matter what President Bush's nickname is. The group behind the chain, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., has fired off legal letters to two political merchandisers, demanding they remove the letter W — as in George W. Bush — from "apparel and accessories" they are selling. The offending items include baseball hats and T-shirts "that mimic the trade dress of the W hotels, which has the effect of eroding the unique brand identity developed in the W logo."
Aug 4, 2004, 2:44 pm
#2
Company Representative - Starwood
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Originally Posted by TK-421
Cute "Page 6" story from the New York Post online edition: http://www.nypost.com/gossip/28411.htm
Geez, and I thought a company with such a big presence in Austin would be more supportive.
Geez, and I thought a company with such a big presence in Austin would be more supportive.
Besides this, there is not that large a contingent of us in Austin any longer.
Sincerely,
William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services
[email protected]
Please note that any reference to any political views are my own and do not necessarily represent those of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide or Starwood Preferred Guest; although it is really hard to believe that I have to explain this since my remarks were meant to be a joke in the first place - hence the wink.
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Aug 9, 2004 at 6:18 pm Reason: to add political disclaimer
Aug 4, 2004, 3:15 pm
#3
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-->hey maybe some democrats will think they can stop staying at W to hurt Bush's bottom's line
--> Wonder what the Starwood stand is on "W Ketchup" for those not wanting to give indirect dollars to Kerry's wife
--> Wonder what the Starwood stand is on "W Ketchup" for those not wanting to give indirect dollars to Kerry's wife
Aug 4, 2004, 3:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Boynton Beach, FL, USA
Posts: 720
When I first went to Bush's site to order some stickers, I do remember connecting the Bush W to the W Hotels W. I must say, though, that I really liked the merchandise. Very comtemporary and classy.
Aug 4, 2004, 8:33 pm
#5
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That is rather amusing, but I do not think that W Hotels should complain about a guy using his initial and try to lay claim to a letter of the alphabet. What if a guy named "Hilton" runs for president, will that hotel try to prohibit the use of his name?
Now if someone tries to open a hotel called the "W" then they would have a reason to complain.
Now if someone tries to open a hotel called the "W" then they would have a reason to complain.
Aug 4, 2004, 9:34 pm
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
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Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Bush has my support. . .
Last edited by AZ Travels the World; Aug 4, 2004 at 9:36 pm Reason: fix code
Aug 4, 2004, 10:26 pm
#7
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I knew I should have copyrighted the entire alphabet.
Aug 5, 2004, 1:14 am
#8
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Originally Posted by AZ Travels the World
Oh Lurker, say it isn't so!! And here I thought you were an enlightend Texan (I know, I know -- oxymoron). My image is shattered!
Aug 5, 2004, 6:17 am
#9
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Originally Posted by quinella66
What if a guy named "Hilton" runs for president, will that hotel try to prohibit the use of his name?
Aug 5, 2004, 12:27 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by rbAA
I knew I should have copyrighted the entire alphabet.
This post has been brought to you by the letters "S" and "K"
SteveKoe
Aug 5, 2004, 3:26 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by TK-421
Geez, and I thought a company with such a big presence in Austin would be more supportive.
Aug 6, 2004, 8:28 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Bush has my support, but business is business.
Aug 6, 2004, 8:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by BoulderFlyer
William, I'm really disappointed to see you post your political preferences here and can't for the life of me understand why you did so. You're the primary reason I chose SPG as my favorite hotel program. Why would you want to alienate approximately 50% of your company's guests by stating your political opinions here? What point does it serve?
Aug 6, 2004, 9:24 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Originally Posted by BoulderFlyer
William, I'm really disappointed to see you post your political preferences here and can't for the life of me understand why you did so. You're the primary reason I chose SPG as my favorite hotel program. Why would you want to alienate approximately 50% of your company's guests by stating your political opinions here? What point does it serve?
Aug 7, 2004, 6:23 am
#15
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Originally Posted by BoulderFlyer
William, I'm really disappointed to see you post your political preferences here and can't for the life of me understand why you did so. You're the primary reason I chose SPG as my favorite hotel program. Why would you want to alienate approximately 50% of your company's guests by stating your political opinions here? What point does it serve?