So Apparently Nutella Hates Free Publicity, Issues Cease and Desist to Founder of ‘World Nutella Day’
Okay guys, this whole “Nutella” thing has gone far enough. Nutella Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls, Nutella S’more Pulls, Nutella Thieves? Who asked you all to like this stuff so much anyway? Not Ferrero, the parent company behind the sweet hazelnut chocolate spread, apparently. They don’t even want you celebrating World Nutella Day!
Last week, Sara Rosso, one of the founders of beloved fan holiday, released a statement on her website claiming Ferrero had issued her a cease and desist letter, citing “some misuse of the Nutella brand on the fan page.” In response, Rosso stated she would be shutting down the nutelladay.com site, as well as the official Nutella Day Facebook and Twitter pages.
“The cease-and-desist letter was a bit of a surprise and a disappointment,” Rosso wrote in her statement. “I have hope that this is not a goodbye to World Nutella Day forever, for the fans’ sake, and hopefully it will live on in one form or another in the future.”
Internet outrage, of course, was swift and widespread (hehe), with some Facebook users even purporting to boycott Nutella completely in support of Rosso. Thankfully a new statement has since then appeared on the Nutella Day website suggesting that Ferrero and Rosso have finally reached a happy conclusion to this nutty case:
“World Nutella Day: a positive conclusion
Positive direct contact between Ferrero and Sara Rosso, owner of the non-official Nutella fan page World Nutella Day, has brought an end to the case.
Ferrero would like to express to Sara Rosso its sincere gratitude for her passion for Nutella, gratitude which is extended to all fans of the World Nutella Day.
The case arose from a routine brand defense procedure that was activated as a result of some misuse of the Nutella brand on the fan page.
Ferrero is pleased to announce that today, after contacting Sara Rosso and finding together the appropriate solutions, it immediately stopped the previous action.
Ferrero considers itself fortunate to have such devoted and loyal fans of its Nutella spread, like Sara Rosso.”
Damn straight.
H/T Consumerist + PicThx Young Career Traveler