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Anheuser-Busch CEO Speaks Out Following Controversial Bud Light Campaign with Transgender Activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Two weeks after Bud Light faced considerable backlash for its marketing campaign featuring transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth has released a statement addressing the issue. Whitworth, in his statement on Friday, acknowledged his responsibility to ensure that consumers feel proud of the beer brewed by the company, which has been a part of America’s heartland for over 165 years.
NEW — Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth Releases a Statement in the Wake of the Dylan Mulvaney Controversy
“We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer.” pic.twitter.com/HbRa9x0pin
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) April 14, 2023
Whitworth emphasized the company’s commitment to bringing people together over a beer and highlighted the values of freedom, hard work, and respect for one another that he learned during his time serving the country. He also expressed his dedication to the company, its brands, and partners and stated his intention to continue working to bring great beers to consumers nationwide.
Earlier this month, Mulvaney revealed on social media that Anheuser-Busch had sent her a pack of Bud Light featuring her face, as part of an ad for the company’s March Madness contest, while also celebrating her full year of “girlhood.” Mulvaney shared an Instagram post describing the cans as her “most prized possession” and posted a video of herself drinking a Bud Light as part of the campaign.
BREAKING: Budweiser CEO issues statement full of absolutely nothing, doesn’t apologize for hiring a man wearing womanface or indoctrinating their working class consumers in poisonous Queer Theory. Bye bye Bud Light.
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) April 14, 2023
Anheuser-Busch previously told Fox News that the company occasionally creates commemorative gift cans to celebrate personal milestones and collaborates with numerous influencers. A spokesperson clarified that the commemorative can featuring Mulvaney was a gift to mark a personal milestone and was not available for purchase by the general public.
During the controversy, Anheuser-Busch experienced a financial impact, as reported by Jeff Fitter, owner of Case & Bucks, a Missouri-based restaurant and sports bar. Fitter informed FOX Business that sales of Anheuser-Busch bottled products had fallen by 30% in the past week, while draft beer sales had decreased by 50%.
In light of the backlash against Bud Light and after now losing over $6 billion in brand value, Anheuser Busch, the brands parent company, is reportedly temporarily halting all marketing efforts to reevaluate the brands advertising strategies. The brand will also in future… pic.twitter.com/8ke3C6rq1O
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 13, 2023
Anheuser Busch is officially down $6 Billion because of all of this and looks as if the boycotts will continue.
Anheuser Busch trots out the CEO in hopes of stopping the bleed. The result was a fancy word salad that meant zero. My suggestion..,next time you want to celebrate women, put a real woman on your product!
???????? pic.twitter.com/TBCIuhO8JF— ????? ??????????? (@Godfatherparte2) April 15, 2023