As Bud Light sales continue to tank thanks to what will certainly go down in history as the greatest marketing misstep to ever hit the world of advertising, Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth wants you to know, “We hear you.”
In a statement released on Thursday, Whitworth addressed “the discussion surrounding our company.”
“We recognize that over the last two months, the discussion surrounding our company and Bud Light has moved away from beer, and this has impacted our consumers, our business partners, and our employees,” he wrote. “We are a beer company, and beer is for everyone.”
Perhaps. But the beer company’s partnership with transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney has, thus far, cost Anheuser-Busch billions.
Rogan says Target, Bud Light are suffering billions in losses because people have had enough: ‘Hey, that’s not normal’ https://t.co/si9eFKjlSe pic.twitter.com/JYKUVnBYDw
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) June 14, 2023
“Since late March, Bud Light parent Anheuser-Busch has seen its market value plummet by over $35 billon to $99 billion, down from $134.5 billion,” according to Fox Business.
“NielsenIQ data provided to Fox Business by Bump Williams Consulting showed that for the week ending June 3, Bud Light sales were down 24.4% compared to a year ago. Over the last four weeks ending June 3, the data showed Bud Light sales were down 24.6% relative to the same period last year,” the outlet reported.
Meanwhile, Bud Light lost its “top-selling U.S. beer spot to Mexico’s Modelo Especial after Dylan Mulvaney debacle,” journalist John Solomon tweeted on Wednesday.
Bud Light loses top-selling U.S. beer spot to Mexico’s Modelo Especial after Dylan Mulvaney debacle | Just The News https://t.co/B1VqTOIYfi
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) June 14, 2023
But Whitworth has a plan.
“Today, we are announcing three important actions as we continue to move our business forward,” he stated. “First, we are investing to protect the jobs of our frontline employees. Second, we are providing financial assistance to our independent wholesalers to help them support their employees.”
“Third, to all our valued consumers, we hear you,” he continued. “Our summer advertising launches next week, and you can look forward to Bud Light reinforcing what you’ve always loved about our brand – that it’s easy to drink and easy to enjoy.”
“As we move forward, we will focus on what we do best – brewing great beer and earning our place in moments that matter to you,” Whitworth promised. “Here’s to a future with more cheers.”
On Twitter, few are raising their mugs.
“Note: No apology,” one user tweeted.
“‘We hear you’ is not an apology for basically calling their consumers ‘fratty idiots,'” said another.
“It doesn’t matter what they change now. This company needs to be made an example of to other corporates,” stated a third. “Tramp the dirt down on @AnheuserBusch. Let their company become an example and their memory will become a case study for future students studying Marketing and Corporate Governance.”
Note: No apology.
— MAGA Layla, RN (@LaylaStarks6) June 16, 2023
“We hear you” is not an apology for basically calling their consumers “fratty idiots”
— Nick Flor + (@ProfessorF) June 17, 2023
It doesn’t matter what they change now.
This company needs to be made an example of to other corporates.Tramp the dirt down on @AnheuserBusch Let their company become an example and their memory will become a case study for future students studying Marketing and Corporate… pic.twitter.com/xqHfu6XYMh
— Ausländer (@seamusmateus) June 17, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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