I Interview Dan Oliver, CEO of W Ketchup™

Written by RJ Elliott
Published August 29, 2004
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7 - You state that a portion of every sale goes to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, a charity that provides college scholarships to the children of military personnel killed in the line of duty. Exactly how much do you donate per $3.00 bottle of ketchup?

I can't answer your question exactly, because our price structure has the cost per bottle dramatically decline per additional bottle. We did it this way to encourage people to give W away to their friends, as we think the more W that's out there the better for everyone. We donate 5% of our profits to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, and we like to think we've given them a lot of publicity. We've also donated ketchup to the New Hampshire National Guard Family Assistance Program, for the wives whose husbands are in Iraq, and sell ketchup at cost to other worthy causes. The men and woman in uniform are making such a tremendous sacrifice for our country right now, you can't do too much to support them.

8 - Any predictions on the November election?

Bush wins big. No one likes Kerry, not even Democrats (and especially not Hillary). They only support him because they're rabidly anti-Bush. That's fine for polls, but when election day rolls around, and it's raining, and cold, and there's a long line, and you're busy, I think it's tough to spend the time to vote against someone (unless someone's offering you free booze or cigarettes, of course). On the other hand, judging from the response we've had, I think people are pretty committed to Bush. I think they'll turn out, especially after staring at "W" all summer!

9 - Do you predict your sales would be better with a "W" or a "Heinz" occupying the White House for the next four years?

I actually don't think it matters in terms of sales. If Kerry wins, there will be a lot of unhappy people in the red states who are going to have to watch Teresa Heinz Kerry on the news every evening. That can't be good for Heinz sales, and can only help us. If Bush wins, well, I think that would be the best thing for ketchup fans everywhere.

10 - One of the main uses of ketchup is on fries. Do you refer to them as "French fries" or "Freedom fries"?

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RJ is a graduate student at the University of Central Florida. His passions in life are sports, politics, nature, and women who have piercings they never told their daddy about. He dislikes daytime television, left-wing dictators, and people who talk like Garrison Keillor. His favorite cheese is Havarti.
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I Interview Dan Oliver, CEO of W Ketchup™
Published: August 29, 2004
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Section: Politics
Filed Under: Tastes: Food and Drink, Interviews
Writer: RJ Elliott
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Comments

#1 — August 29, 2004 @ 19:17PM — Jim Carruthers [URL]

I slather it on hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, steak (yes, steak!)

If proof is needed that RJ is a barbarian, here it is (unless that "steak" was previously known as "Trigger").

I can't wait for your review of Victory Gin.

#2 — August 29, 2004 @ 20:27PM — RJ [URL]

That's odd, Jim. I didn't imagine you to be a steak eater. I had you pegged as either a vegan or a cannibal.

#3 — August 30, 2004 @ 00:59AM — Mike Kole [URL]

When in Canada, I rather enjoy the ketchup. It is spiced differently than American ketchup, even when comparing Heinz to Heinz. It is sweeter, and has some other spices I can't quite put a finger on. RJ, you really need to have your dear pal Jim send a bottle to you.

Meanwhile, here in Indiana, we enjoy Red Gold. It is manufactured just two counties north of me and is abundantly available throughout the midwest. It is not as vinegar-heavy as Heinz, just like Mr. Oliver describes his 'W' ketchup.

#4 — August 30, 2004 @ 01:17AM — RJ [URL]

Mike,

I suggest you try some "W" Ketchup. It's pretty damn good, and some of the proceeds go to a good cause.

And everything is made here in the good ol' USA, including the bottles!

#5 — August 30, 2004 @ 10:28AM — Shark

Wow. How interesting.

Two geniuses discuss a red sugar substance.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

#6 — August 30, 2004 @ 16:26PM — jack e. jett [URL]

someday, a million years from now, someone will dig up a computer and find this particular blog on it. this will be proof how insane the world became in 2004.

ketchup has become a political issue.

i am glad bill del monte or the chef boy r. dee's are not running for anything.

jack

#7 — August 30, 2004 @ 16:44PM — Jim Carruthers [URL]

mmmmm, long pork. Though you really need to use a ginger-molasses-cayenne-vinegar marinade, and then slow cook it in a steel smoker. None of that red industrial glop.

What's next, politically oriented individually wrapped cheez slices?

I'm actually surprised that Republicrat yahoos aren't keeping to the party line, preaching abstinence instead of promoting promiscuous use of condiments.

#8 — August 30, 2004 @ 16:56PM — Jim Carruthers [URL]

Del Monte and United Fruit used the US Marines as part of political food policy over the past century many times in Honduras, Cuba, Nicaragua,, and so on.

Before Banana Republic was a retail chain, it was a key part of US foreign policy, brutal, murderous dictatorships, enforced by US troops.

#9 — August 30, 2004 @ 18:05PM — Mark Saleski [URL]

i use Uncle Dave's Ketchup from vermont.

all natural. kosher. no icky sweeteners.

no politics.


#10 — August 30, 2004 @ 18:24PM — RJ [URL]

Hey, Tadpole:

GFY

#11 — August 30, 2004 @ 19:34PM — jack e. jett [URL]

i am going to stop eating pineapples because of that red cross whore...liz dole and her limped penis hubby bob.

#12 — August 30, 2004 @ 19:53PM — Mark Saleski [URL]

Hey, Tadpole:

GFY


gee...GFY?

Good For You?
Girls Feed Yaks?
Greenbeans Float Y'Know?

no, wait...Go Fuck Yourself?

very impressive & eloquent.

and stuff.

#13 — September 2, 2004 @ 20:56PM — Jim Amos [URL]

I don't see why it has to be political. W ketchup would stand to take a bigger chunk of the market (provided it really is a tasy alternative) if it wasn't directly tied to Republicans. To my knowledge, it makes more business sense to sell to the biggest market possible, which would be anyone looking for an alternative taste not a different political flavor. Heinz may be owned by the wife of the democratic candidate, but it didn't set out to be political. It just wants to be a condiment, so should W.

#14 — September 2, 2004 @ 23:43PM — Mike Kole [URL]

I think it's fun that it is political, in the thin tradition of Billy Beer and Gold Water. I'd love to see Heinz unveil a 58th Variety in honor of John Kerry, though I can't imagine what would be fitting.

#15 — September 3, 2004 @ 08:52AM — Shark

Genius responds while trying to live up to the standards of his hero, Herr Cheney:

"Go Fuck Yourself."


Good job, grasshopper.

#16 — September 3, 2004 @ 11:27AM — Mark Saleski [URL]

i guess telling somebody to go fuck themselves isn't a 'personal attack'.

mebbe it's a term of endearment or something.

#17 — September 3, 2004 @ 16:01PM — Justene [URL]

Mark, it is, but I fall behind. Anyone who thinks I'm missing something or not getting to something quickly enough should email me through the link on the side. Those emails won't get in with the comment copies.

#18 — September 3, 2004 @ 16:03PM — Justene [URL]

Although, with Shark, it may have been a term of endearment. I often miss his context.

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