Posts Tagged ‘Most Interesting Academy’

Dos Equis to host apology party on Nov 1

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Dos EquisDos Equis, after a somewhat embarrassing logistical failure earlier this year, has held up their end of the deal. They will be holding a party for those people who couldn’t get into the Most Interesting Academy at Falkenstein Castle.

I’m impressed with Dos Equis’ efforts on this. They could have hoped we’d just forget about the apology party. Instead, they were very classy in their communications and are now backing them up with action. I’m looking forward to the event.

The following is from Do512:

As promised, Dos Equis will be hosting an event in early November, specifically for anyone disappointed by not being able to attend the Academy event at Falkenstein Castle. If you would like to receive information about how to be invited to this up-coming event, please email: party@Do512.com by Monday, October 19th. We will be in contact with those who respond shortly afterwards with the invitation, specific details on the date, location and how to RSVP.

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Here’s what Falkenstein Castle has to say…

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Not sure everyone saw this recent comment from Kim over at Falkenstein Castle about the Dos Equis Most Interesting Academy mishap. Here it is along with videos she linked to (and the one below I found). Dos Equis did handle the fallout well and an apology party is being planned

Kim’s comment:

So if you think we didn’t do all we could to accommodate all the people who drove out here, ya think we wanted to leave them hanging.

Check out the pics and videos .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anewJntLrsc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vWIZNJYcvM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHB8GUqqI0U&feature=related
This is my front yard, people, my gardens, my ponds.

This was supposed to be a low key less than 1000 people party,well it was not to be so I had thousands in my front yard!!

And we let them in even though we were way past what I was comfortable with. We all had a great time. And the promoters went all out to make sure this was the coolest party for all. We never ran out of beer or food. I am sure that if we ever work together again we will not underestimate the power of free beer and a castle.

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Kristin of Do512 responds regarding Dos Equis apology party

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Do512I contacted Kristin Owen of Do512.com after Dos Equis announced it would be holding a “Most Interesting Apology” party after the organizational failings of the Most Interesting Academy, held at Falkenstein Castle. The announcement instructed people on the RSVP list who were unable to get in to email the promoters to get a ticket to the party. Immediately, people started emailing promoters such as Do512 and Rare Magazine asking to get a ticket. Kristin has been swamped with emails due to the party, many of them accusing Do512 for some of the failings of the Dos Equis party.

Kristin mentioned that they have been in constant communication with Dos Equis. As an observer, I am impressed with the level of communication from Dos Equis. They reached out personally and immediately to stem the tide of negative PR. Sure, they are doing damage control, but it looks like they are doing it well. As I mentioned previously, I am cautiously optimistic that Dos Equis will learn from their mistakes and organize a successful party. Throwing a party to apologize for a party is a tricky move, and I hope they can pull it off.

Regarding the upcoming party, she had this to say: “This party won’t happen for at least a month I’d say, they have to plan the whole entire thing so its going to be a process. Whenever it is planned there will be an announcement and there will be a way to get on the list that doesn’t involve emailing me! I figure what will happen is just anyone who RSVP’d in the past is on the list, and no others will be added.”

Thanks to Kristin for answering my questions amid the myriad emails she has received the past few days.

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Dos Equis contacted me personally to apologize

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Have to give Dos Equis props for quick and personal communication. I received the email below in response to the events at The Most Interesting Academy event. Time will tell if the apology and whatever they are planning to make it up to Austin will be enough.

Here’s the email in it’s entirety. The Examiner post she’s referring to is here.  So I ask you, what could they do to atone? Is their reputation already tarnished beyond repair or not?

Dear Tyler:

I am the Corporate Communications Director for Heineken USA and I read your Examiner.com piece on the Dos Equis event near Austin, TX last evening.  We are taking this matter seriously and I wanted to share the note below  from Kheri Tillman, the VP of Dos Equis for Heineken USA  with you and your readers.

Sincerely,

Tara Carraro
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Heineken USA

We want to sincerely apologize for the experience you had at the Dos Equis event last evening in Austin, TX.  We did not expect the response to our invitation would reach this magnitude and we did not properly handle the number of people who arrived at the event.

Clearly this event did not meet your expectations or ours and for that we are genuinely sorry.   This is not how we wish to treat our loyal consumers and we only hope that you will let us try to make it up to you.

We are working on plans to try and make this right and will be back in touch with you before the weekend with more details.  We appreciate you taking the time to let us know how you feel and are working hard to put plans in place with the companies that managed this event for us to ensure this never happens again in Austin or any other city.

Sincerely,

Kheri Tillman
Vice President, Dos Equis
Heineken USA

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Sounds like Dos XX blew it big time

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Dos XX Most Interesting Academy FAILI was disappointed I couldn’t make it to the Most Interesting Academy yesterday…until I heard about it.

The event was at Falkenstein Castle and featured free food, music, food, and entertainment. 1793 people RSVP’d on Do512 but apparently only about 800 got in. That leaves 1000 people that were on an RSVP list without access. To add to the fact that they didn’t get in, they had to wait in line in 105 degree weather with no information coming from the organizers.

Just read the comments on the event listing on Do512 (scroll down the page).

Are events that hard to organize? Really? This was put on by a major company, this wasn’t the Rock for Independence Fest or Thunder of the Gods which were put on by clueless promoters. Get your shit together, learn what RSVP means, don’t make people park in a dung-covered cow pasture

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