Ever have that annoying person no one liked who would leave the party? Beer drinkers are ready for this beer maker to take a hike as the football season draws closer.
Backlash may be less fiery, but beer drinkers haven’t forgotten their anger at Bud Light. The partnership with a social influencer who doesn’t hold the same values cost the company billions. That’s not enough for beer lovers who feel betrayed by the former number one beer company.
People who drink beer and religiously follow football don’t want an anti-blue collar beer maker showing up for their tailgate party. You can just hear beer lovers saying, “Just leave and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
That message hasn’t reached Bud Light headquarters. Tone-deaf marketing executives decided it would be good to reach out to fans about the upcoming pro football season opening day.
Bud Light tweeted on social media:
Only 8 Sundays til @NFL but who’s counting…
It didn’t take long for the tweet to stoke the smoldering flames of anger against the beer brand.
The tweets were swift and harsh:
Can’t wait for the NFL. Sunday afternoon relaxing with a cold Yuengling. – GuitarGuitarGuitar
Counting your losses by the billions. – lordpleak.eth
Anheuser-Busch has only lost over $30 billion worth of value but who’s counting… – Matt
Is it possible to completely bankrupt you guys? I really hope so – Moonstreet
It’s amazing that Bud Light executives believe that the backlash inferno has died down to the point a casual ad or tweet can repair the public relations damage. Beer drinkers who have supported the company – some their entire lives – have abandoned the brand and will not return. They also won’t be promoting the beer to new generations.
The controversy has hit Bud Light hard in the wallet.
From the Daily Caller:
The Anheuser-Busch brand has been hit hard with boycotts and backlash, leading to plummeting weekly sales and tanking stock prices for A-B. And on top of that, they also lost their spot as the No. 1 beer in the United States of America, with Mexican beer Modelo Especial now in the lead.
Bud Light needs to walk away and not try to play defense through silly marketing ideas. Company executives were the ones who decided to bring on a social influencer who doesn’t know anything about the game to promote their beer. Once devoted and true fans who love football are hold complete opposite of values to those Bud Light is trying to impose upon beer drinkers.
Just take your beer and go home, Bud Light. You haven’t got the game anymore for patriotic football fans.