Anheuser-Busch Heir Voices Concerns Over Bud Light’s Dylan Mulvaney Ad Campaign: A Disappointment to Ancestors

Introduction: Billy Busch, a descendant of the Anheuser-Busch family, has expressed his dissatisfaction with Bud Light’s advertising campaign featuring transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney. Busch believes that his ancestors would disapprove of the controversial campaign. Bud Light faced backlash and financial losses after collaborating with Mulvaney to promote inclusivity, featuring her image on their beer cans.

Ancestors’ Perspective: Busch recently shared his family’s beliefs in an interview with TMZ. He emphasized that transgender issues and LGBTQ+ matters are deeply personal and should not be publicized on beer cans or forced upon individuals. While Busch acknowledged the freedom of expression in the country, he believed that using beer cans as a platform for such messages was inappropriate.

Critique of the Ad Campaign: Busch went on to criticize the ad campaign, suggesting that beer drinkers, who he regards as common people and blue-collar workers, prefer a beer that represents true American patriotism. According to Busch, the message portrayed on the Bud Light cans did not resonate with the preferences of beer consumers, ultimately contributing to Bud Light’s decline as the symbol of “America’s beer.”

Controversial Exchange with TMZ Host: During the interview, Busch expressed his belief that beer consumers are more interested in wholesome and patriotic themes, implying that certain subjects should remain private. However, the TMZ host, Harvey Levin, challenged Busch’s perspective, suggesting that the controversy stemmed from prejudice against transgender individuals. Levin referenced historical examples of prejudice towards various groups and argued that this situation was no different.

Impact on Anheuser-Busch: The aftermath of the ad campaign has had significant consequences for Anheuser-Busch. The company reported a 10% decline in revenue within the U.S., leading to a loss of $400 million, and sales in U.S. retailers dropped by 14% compared to the previous year. Consequently, Anheuser-Busch announced plans to lay off numerous corporate employees in the U.S.

Conclusion: Billy Busch’s strong disapproval of the Bud Light ad campaign featuring Dylan Mulvaney highlights the controversy surrounding the partnership and its impact on Anheuser-Busch’s financial performance. The interview sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding inclusivity and the appropriate representation of social issues in marketing campaigns for popular consumer products.