PAUL BOIS – 10 Aug 2023 – for Breitbart news
The Anheuser-Busch brand suffered another blow this week when it appeared that few (if any) people visited the Budweiser tent at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.
Video of the empty Budweiser tent quickly began circulating on social media Thursday, showing what appeared to be a vacant lot of branded booths.
Budweiser declared itself the official sponsor of this year’s motorcycle event. Per the website:
Budweiser and its local distributor, Quality Brands of the Black Hills, are proud to be the Official Malt Beverage Sponsor of the 83rd Annual – City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Through their combined efforts you will see:
- Custom Sturgis / Budweiser signage and;
- Our mutual donations to local charities that raise money for the Black Hills area.
The local Budweiser distributor, Quality Brands of the Black Hills, has been associated with The Rally for more than 50 years. Budweiser and its distributor partners are long-time supporters of motorcycle events nationwide.
As Breitbart News reported, Bud Light has been hemorrhaging business since it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, forcing the company to lay off hundreds of workers.
“While we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success,” Anheuser-Busch Chief Executive Brendan Whitworth said in a written statement. “These corporate structure changes will enable our teams to focus on what we do best—brewing great beer for everyone.”
Earlier this week, Billy Busch, an heir to the Anheuser-Busch beer empire, said that his ancestors would have “rolled in their graves” over Bud Light’s recent decision.
“I think my family — my ancestors would have rolled over in their graves,” Busch told TMZ. “They believed that transgender, gays, that sort of thing was all a very personal issue. They loved this country because it is a free country and people are allowed to do what they want, but it was never meant to be on a beer can and never meant to be pushed in people’s faces.”
Busch said that the type of customers who would drink a Bud Light are “common folk” who work hard every day and do not want political messaging shoved in their faces.
“You know, I think people who drink beer, I think they’re your common folk. I think they are the blue-collar worker who goes and works hard every single day,” Busch said.
“The last thing they want pushed down their throat or to be drinking is a beer can with that kind of message on it. I just don’t think that’s what they’re looking for. They want their beer to be truly American, truly patriotic, as it always has been. Truly, America’s beer, which Bud Light was and probably isn’t any longer,” he added.
Paul Roland Bois joined Breitbart News in 2021. He also directed the award-winning feature film, EXEMPLUM, which can be viewed for FREE on YouTube or Tubi. A high-quality, ad-free stream can also be purchased on Google Play or Vimeo on Demand. Follow him on Twitter @prolandfilms or Instagram @prolandfilms.
Bud Light Might Be A ‘Dead’ Beer Brand
As revenue for Bud Light continues to plummet months after the Dylan Mulvaney controversy, executives at the company fear issues may persist long into the future.
By Shay Bottomley – Published 7 hours ago 08/11/23 – for 1945
Dylan Mulvaney Screenshot
As revenue for Bud Light continues to plummet months after the Dylan Mulvaney controversy, executives at the company fear issues may persist long into the future.
Bud Light: RIP?
Bud Light’s short-lived marketing campaign with transgender influencer Mulvaney saw a major backlash when it launched in April. Critics, spurred on by conservative campaigners, politicians and celebrities, called for a mass boycott over its “woke” advertising and attempts to play off the divisive American political climate.
The impact of the Bud Light boycott has been so detrimental that the company has been forced to make large-scale redundancies.
At the same time, there have been reports from beer truck drivers over heckling and harassment due to their association with the brand.
How Hard Has Bud Light Been Hit?
Bud Light, the nation’s top-selling beer consistently since 2001, now lags behind Modelo Especial in sales as the fallout continues.
Year-on-year sales of the product have fallen by nearly 30%, while parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev claimed sales to U.S. retailers dropped by 14% this year.
Sales have been so low that revenue has dropped by $ 400 million in North America alone up to this point in the year, with executives predicting no immediate increase despite Bud Light subsequently distancing themselves from Mulvaney.
Despite the company reporting a stabilization between the end of April and June, Bud Light has been forced to offer financial support to wholesalers as consumer discontent lingers.
Months after the campaign, Bud Light’s woes continue. Not only is the company struggling to regain lost customers, but it is also facing the possibility of legal action from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis due to the state’s shares of $ 50 million in the company taking a financial hit.
Executives Are Pessimistic
CEO Michel Doukeris acknowledged the impact on revenue in a recent Wall Street analyst call. “People, basically, they want to enjoy their beer without the debate,” he claimed on the call.
With customers looking to competitors to quench their thirst, Bud Light executives are expressing their frustration in interviews with media outlets. One executive, based in Texas, told the New York Post that beating competitors like Coors Light and Miller Lite came down to “whoever is best at marketing.”
“Consumers have made a choice,” said the executive who did not wish to be identified. “They have left [Bud Light] and that’s how it’s going to be. I don’t envision a big percentage of them coming back.”
Lord Buckbeak: "Will you come into my parlor?," said the Spider to the Fly. 