Putin’s successor to be the toast of the town

MOSCOW – President Vladimir Putin’s chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev is hardly known for charisma, but his name will soon be the life and soul of the party if several Russian drinks companies get their way.

Business daily Vedomosti reported Friday that the companies moved to register trademarks based on the Medvedev name the moment Putin declared support for the 42-year-old bureaucrat in a March 2 presidential election – an endorsement seen as guaranteeing victory. One applicant, Inso-energo, is registering the trademarks “Tsar-medved,” “Medvedka,” and “Medvedevka” for alcoholic and soft drinks, and sweets, the newspaper reported.Another drinks company has applied to register “Volodya and Medvedi” – a playful reference to the diminutive of Putin’s first name Vladimir and a variation on Medvedev.Companies cannot use names without the subject’s permission, forcing them to make minor alterations.The Putinka vodka is already popular – and will likely remain so.”Putin will remain the strongest political figure and ‘Putinka’ will continue to sell better than Medvedevka,” Vedomosti quoted Alexander Yeremenko, head of the BrandLab agency, as saying.Nampa-AFPOne applicant, Inso-energo, is registering the trademarks “Tsar-medved,” “Medvedka,” and “Medvedevka” for alcoholic and soft drinks, and sweets, the newspaper reported.Another drinks company has applied to register “Volodya and Medvedi” – a playful reference to the diminutive of Putin’s first name Vladimir and a variation on Medvedev.Companies cannot use names without the subject’s permission, forcing them to make minor alterations.The Putinka vodka is already popular – and will likely remain so.”Putin will remain the strongest political figure and ‘Putinka’ will continue to sell better than Medvedevka,” Vedomosti quoted Alexander Yeremenko, head of the BrandLab agency, as saying.Nampa-AFP