Budweiser has launched a fresh new advertisement amidst a dilemma its parent corporation Anheuser-Busch is facing for supporting transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
“We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer,” Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said in a statement.
It’s beer time.
— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) April 2, 2023
The advertisement features a Clydesdale horse traveling from New York City to the Grand Canyon and aims to celebrate the American spirit through a narrator’s patriotic message.
As the ad plays, the horse passes by some of the most well-known American landmarks, including the New York City skyline and the Lincoln Memorial. It showcases small towns and farmland as well as two individuals raising the American flag.
The Clydesdales have been a long-standing symbol of Budweiser’s advertising campaigns. However, Budweiser’s parent company is facing backlash over its association with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who has caused some to call for boycotts of Anheuser-Busch’s brands.
This controversy has resulted in a financial loss for the company, with some businesses claiming that sales of Bud Light have decreased.
TGIF? pic.twitter.com/d3W4oWJSXr
— Bud Light (@budlight) April 14, 2023
A Missouri bar owner disclosed that bottled Bud Light sales have decreased by 30%, while draft sales have dropped by 50%. Budweiser distributors have also canceled scheduled events to showcase the Clydesdales due to the safety concerns of their employees.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a statement on Friday (April 14), stating that the company never intended to create divisions.
“My time serving this country taught me the importance of accountability and the values upon which America was founded: freedom, hard work and respect for one another. As CEO of Anheuser-Busch, I am focused on building and protecting our remarkable history and heritage,” Whitworth said in the statement. “I care deeply about this country, this company, our brands and our partners. I spend much of my time traveling across America, listening to and learning from our customers, distributors and others,” Whitworth continued. “Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring great beers to consumers across our nation.”
Anheuser-Busch has not yet responded to requests for comment on the new Budweiser advertisement. Regardless, the ad has been widely received as a heartwarming tribute to America, showcasing the beauty of the country’s landscapes and people.