The hits keep coming for Bud Light and the brand is running out of places to hide. After the disastrous marketing post with Dylan Mulvaney tanked sales of the beer across the heartland, the CEO of Anheuser-Busch, Michel Doukeris, disavowed Dylan.
But that has pissed off the LGBTQ community. Multiple bars in Chicago launched a boycott of the brand and the company and now some New York City gayu bars are mounting a boycott of their own.
Stacey Lentz, co-owner of New York City’s historic gay and lesbian landmark Stonewall Inn, said the brewery “missed an opportunity to stand by their commitment to the trans community by pandering to and giving into transphobic outcries.
“As far as marketing, I hope and think they realized that as a brand they will be extinct in a few years if they are not fully on the side of equality, as that is what the Gen Z consumer expects and demands.”
Lentz also defended Mulvaney saying “this whole thing was not handled well and she was caught in the middle of a horrible fire storm.”
John Casey, editor of the LGBTQ magazine Advocate, called for a boycott of Bud Light for “validating trans hate.”
“Rather than come to the defense of a transgender woman, rather than defend a noble campaign that sought to reflect acceptance, and rather than let the campaign with Mulvaney speak for itself, Anheuser-Busch poured alcohol all over an extremist’s fire, and that will continue to singe our community,” Casey said.
The CEO of Anheuser-Busch finally disowned the Mulvaney stunt telling investors it was ‘not a campaign’ but rather it was ‘just one can.’
Michael Doukeris said:
“We need to clarify the facts that this was one can, one influencer, one post and not a campaign. We believe we have the experience, the resources and the partners to manage this. And our four-year growth outlook is unchanged.
“We want to reiterate our support for our wholesaler partners and everyone who brings our great beers to the market. I can tell you that we have the agility, resources and people to support the U.S. team and move forward.
“We will continue to learn, meet the moment in time, all be stronger and we work tirelessly to do what we do best: Bring people together over a beer and creating a future of more cheers.”
Bud Light sales reportedly continue to crater with in-store sales down 26%. The company first sent in the Clydesdales, https://t.co/XN6WRsaHL4, and then the conservatives, https://t.co/tCzQCwD7Ji. It hasn’t helped. Customers view the brand as a vehicle to express frustration…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 2, 2023
