Budweiser’s new ad following backlash over Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light partnership
Bud Light’s parent company are trying to counter the Dylan Mulvaney backlash by releasing a new ad.
Budweiser have unveiled a new ad which features its iconic Clydesdale horses, as the company looks to move on following the backlash it received for partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Budweiser’s new ad goes big on patriotism
In the new ad, the Clydesdale horse is seen running across the United States past several landmarks, including the New York skyline, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., as well as rural locations and farmland.
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A narrator says that Budweiser is “a story bigger than beer”, adding: “This is the story of the American spirit.”
“Brewed for those who found opportunity in challenge and hope in tomorrow,” the narrator adds as the horse runs past people raising the American flag while one places her hand over her heart.
The ad appears to be a pivot from Anheuser-Busch, which owns Budweiser, as they continue to deal with the fallout from their recent Bud Light partnership with Mulvaney.
Partnership with Mulvaney was hit with backlash
Mulvaney, a TikTok star with over 10 million followers, posted a video promoting the Bud Light’s March Madness contest which gave customers the chance to win $15,000.
In the footage, the 26-year-old is dressed like Audrey Hepburn’s character in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ as she cracks open a can and takes a sip.
“This month I celebrated my 365 days of womanhood and Bud Light sent me possibly the best gift ever — a can with my face on it,” says Mulvaney. Another video featured her drinking a can in her bathtub.
The ads sparked backlash amongst some consumers, with reports indicating the brand suffered a financial hit due to the endorsement.
Stores, distributors and US bar owners reported a decline in Bud Light sales, while celebrities like Kid Rock, Travis Tritt and John Rich all condemned the brand.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth broke his silence on the issue on Friday via a statement in which he said the company never intended to divide people.
“As the CEO of a company founded in America’s heartland more than 165 years ago, I am responsible for ensuring every consumer feels proud of the beer we brew,” said Whitworth.
“We’re honored to be part of the fabric of this country. Anheuser-Busch employs more than 18,000 people and our independent distributors employ an additional 47,000 valued colleagues.
“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.
“We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer.”