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Budweiser recently launched a patriotic commercial in the midst of its parent company, Anheuser-Busch, facing controversy surrounding its sponsorship agreement with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Debuted on social media last Friday, the ad spotlights one of Budweiser’s iconic Clydesdale horses traveling across the United States from New York City to the Grand Canyon. Throughout the journey, the horse encounters various American landmarks and heartland scenes, all accompanied by a narrator sharing an inspiring message about the American spirit. “This is a story bigger than beer,” the narrator proclaims.
This
Yeah we know Coors has done some woke stuff but they didn’t start a new Trans ad campaign the same week that a Trans Terrorist killed Christian children in school
Bud Light did that
We will eventually replace all Woke beers with Patriotic alternatives https://t.co/bxN2REOZdq
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) April 16, 2023
In the ad, the Clydesdale is shown passing iconic locations such as the New York City skyline, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., small towns, and rural landscapes. At one point, viewers see two individuals raising an American flag, with one placing a hand over her heart. “Brewed for those who found opportunity in challenge and hope in tomorrow,” the narrator says as the horse moves past the flag-raising pair and the Lincoln Memorial.
The patriotic commercial arrives during a time when Anheuser-Busch, owner of Budweiser, is grappling with negative reactions to its partnership between Bud Light, another of its popular brands, and Mulvaney. The company has faced financial setbacks due to boycotts of its brands across the nation. A Missouri bar owner reported to Fox Business last week that Bud Light bottle sales had plummeted 30%, while draft sales had decreased by 50%.
@budweiserusa @AnheuserBusch @budlight
This pro-America ad isn't going to work until you fire that crazy progressive Alissa Heinerscheid & explain why the brand had to "evolve" the “out of touch” pro-America image & alienate your customer base.
And womenface isn't inclusive. https://t.co/cbbJaHzxpF— LauraJeanne (@LauraJeanne02) April 16, 2023
Budweiser’s renowned Clydesdales, long-standing features of the company’s advertising, have also been caught in the crossfire. A Budweiser distributor in Missouri recently canceled all scheduled events featuring the horses, citing safety concerns for employees, according to the New York Post. An executive for the distributor declined to comment on the issue, stating, “everything is still sensitive in social media.”
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth finally addressed the controversy on Friday, asserting in a statement that the company never aimed to create division. “We have thousands of partners, millions of fans and a proud history supporting our communities, military, first responders, sports fans, and hard-working Americans everywhere,” Whitworth said. “We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer.”
— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) April 14, 2023
