After releasing an ad campaign starring transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, Bud Light has received criticism.
Two weeks after Bud Light’s ad campaign starring transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney provoked substantial outrage, Anheuser-Busch’s CEO is speaking out.
Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, responded to the criticism with a statement released on Friday.
“As CEO of a firm with roots in the Midwest that go back more than 165 years, it is my duty to make every customer glad to drink our beer. It’s a privilege to serve as a thread in the fabric of our great nation. Over 18,000 individuals work for Anheuser-Busch directly, and another 47,000 people work for our independent distributors. “We have a proud history of supporting communities, military, first responders, sports fans, and hard-working Americans everywhere, and we have thousands of partners and millions of fans,” Whitworth added. We never set out to contribute to a debate that drives wedges amongst communities. Our mission is to provide as a common ground for our customers while they enjoy a cold one.
“My service to my nation has instilled in me a sense of responsibility and a deep appreciation for the ideals of liberty, honesty, and mutual respect that are the bedrock of the American experiment. As Anheuser-Busch’s CEO, it is my top priority to preserve the company’s rich history and traditions. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to my nation, my employer, our brands, and our business partners. Most of my time is spent on the road throughout the United States meeting with distributors, retailers, and other stakeholders to get feedback and insights. Moving ahead, I will keep working hard to provide excellent beers to people all around the United States,” he concluded.
A few days into this month, Mulvaney took to social media to reveal that Anheuser-Busch had sent her a case of Bud Light with her likeness in honor of the company’s March Madness event and the completion of her first year of “girlhood.”
In an Instagram post, Mulvaney called the cans her “most prized possession” and included a video of herself enjoying a Bud Light as part of the ad.
Fox News was previously informed by the firm that it occasionally makes commemorative gift cans to mark personal achievements and collaborates with several personalities.
“Anheuser-Busch collaborates with hundreds of influencers across our brands as a means of establishing genuine connections with consumers of all ages and backgrounds. We occasionally make special commemorative cans for fans and influential people in the industry, like Dylan Mulvaney. “This special can was a gift to mark a special occasion and is not available for purchase by the general public,” a representative from Anheuser-Busch explained.
The scandal has cost Anheuser-Busch money, too.
Sales of Anheuser-Busch bottled products have decreased 30% in the last week, according to Jeff Fitter, owner of Case & Bucks, a restaurant and sports bar in Barnhart, Missouri, who spoke to FOX Business earlier in the week. Sales of Anheuser-Busch draft beer have dropped 50%.