Anheuser–Busch released a new ad on social media last Friday in the wake of the controversy surrounding its partnership with transgender TikTok personality Dylan Mulvaney. The commercial features a Budweiser Clydesdale horse as it gallops across America with visuals of iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon and the St. Louis Arch. The ad has already been viewed by over 39 million people on Twitter.
The ad may be an attempt by Anheuser–Busch to win back their lost customers. After the Mulvaney affair, sales of Bud Light dropped and Anheuser–Busch’s stock dipped to a 52–week low. In response, Anheuser–Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to the “fabric of the country” but failed to offer an apology or address the issue of partnering with Mulvaney.
Budweiser release pro-American ad 2 weeks after Dylan Mulvaney backlash.
The new advert, comes after Anheuser-Busch CEO released a statement which failed to apologise for the backlash and instead talked about traditional values and being pro-America.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 16, 2023
The commercial features a narrator describing the story of Budweiser while the Clydesdale horse trots across the Brooklyn Bridge and other landmarks. Men are shown drinking beer and shaking hands, accompanied by uplifting music. The ad is a tribute to brotherhood but only one woman is featured.
The ad has been met with mixed reactions from social media users. Some thought it was a nice commercial but still expressed displeasure with Anheuser–Busch’s decision to team up with Mulvaney. Others said they would never drink Anheuser–Busch products again.
Is it possible this commercial will successfully win back beer drinkers offended by the Mulvaney affair? Many believe Anheuser–Busch should not have strayed from its traditional values and caved to the demands of the so–called “woke” mob. This ad is an attempt by Anheuser–Busch to reaffirm its commitment to American values. Still, it may not be enough to salvage the company’s reputation with its conservative customer base.
My favorite advertisement by a mile was the Clydesdales after 9/11. It was absolute perfection. After your embrace of the trans agenda, glorifying a man looking for his 15 mins of fame by mocking women. I will never buy, drink or serve your beer again. #BoycottAnheuserBusch
— 🇺🇸America First Stacy🇺🇸 (@Discoveringme40) April 15, 2023
