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Country music singer John Rich recently shared his decision to remove cases of Bud Light from his Nashville bar, as a response to Anheuser-Busch’s collaboration with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney in a promotional campaign that has generated significant debate. Rich, speaking on “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” stressed the importance of catering to customer preferences and the role of capitalism in driving business decisions. He noted that as fewer patrons were ordering Bud Light, it made sense to offer alternative options.
Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with Mulvaney began earlier this month as the company celebrated “365 Days of Girlhood,” by creating custom-made cans featuring Mulvaney’s face. The influencer expressed her excitement and gratitude for the special cans on Instagram, using the hashtag “#budlightpartner.” A subsequent video showcased Mulvaney enjoying a Bud Light in a bathtub as part of the campaign.
Boycott Bud Light maker Anheuser-Busch
Call us at 1-800-DIAL BUD (342-5283)The celebration signifies that Mulvaney, a grown adult male, has been pretending to be a "girl" for an entire year. pic.twitter.com/V6Mq9H9bY3
— .*Funkytown™*. (@01Funkytown) April 2, 2023
The announcement drew considerable criticism, with some social media users describing the campaign as an attempt to promote gender propaganda. Several people openly mocked Bud Light for the partnership, and even Kid Rock used Bud Light cases for target practice in a viral video supporting calls to boycott the brand.
THANK YOU John Rich!
Country music star pulls Bud Light from Nashville bar amid trans activist Dylan Mulvaney partnership#BoycottBudweiser
— Gramma Toody (@GrammaToody) April 11, 2023
As the founder of Redneck Riviera, a popular bar and restaurant in Nashville, Rich sought input from his Twitter followers on alternative beer suggestions after removing Bud Light from his establishment. He acknowledged Anheuser-Busch’s right to market their product as they choose and commented on the shifting loyalty of long-time customers. As a result, many people are gravitating toward up-and-coming American brands that align with their values and preferences.
What beer should my bar @rnrbarnash in Nashville replace #BudLight with? @RedneckRiviera
— John Rich?? (@johnrich) April 5, 2023
In a recent interview on the podcast “Make Yourself At Home,” Bud Light’s Vice President of Marketing, Alissa Heinerscheid, seemingly defended the marketing decision. She explained her motivation to refresh the brand’s image by moving away from outdated humor and embracing inclusivity. Heinerscheid stated, “I’m a businesswoman, I had a really clear job to do when I took over Bud Light, and it was ‘This brand is in decline, it’s been in a decline for a really long time, and if we do not attract young drinkers to come and drink this brand there will be no future for Bud Light.'”
https://twitter.com/pissgheti/status/1645110180512661507?s=20
An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to working with a diverse range of influencers to authentically connect with various audience demographics. They further clarified that the commemorative can featuring Mulvaney was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not available for sale to the general public. This approach demonstrates Anheuser-Busch’s efforts to engage with contemporary social and cultural issues while adapting their marketing strategies to reach broader audiences.
On March 31, Anheuser Busch had a $132.38 billion market cap
As of today, it’s now $128.4 billion
You know what that means?
The Woke Bud Light campaign has already shaved off nearly **$4 BILLION** in company value
Don’t let Dems lie to you – Conservative Boycotts WORK pic.twitter.com/xLGbs6F1MV
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) April 10, 2023