Staff Reports
Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, is hoping to make a comeback with its latest advertising move after facing a major setback earlier this year. The company, which lost millions of customers after teaming up with a transgender social media influencer, has now signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the UFC, a martial arts fighting league known for its “anti-woke” stance.
'Anti-Woke' Sports League Picks BUD LIGHT As Official Beerhttps://t.co/Z3Heggmyx2
— ????Josh Dunlap???? ULTRA-MAGA (@JDunlap1974) October 25, 2023
In a press release, Anheuser-Busch expressed its excitement about the partnership, stating that it presents an opportunity to repair the image of its embattled pilsner. As part of the agreement, Bud Light will become the exclusive “Official Beer Partner of UFC,” and will have a prominent presence in all UFC fights. The brewer will also receive deep integration into key UFC assets, such as live events, broadcast features, and digital content.
For Bud Light, this sponsorship deal comes at a crucial time. The beer brand recently dropped from the top 10 most popular beers in the U.S. and saw a significant decrease in market share as conservatives turned away from the brand. The controversy started when the brand collaborated with a transgender influencer, and it escalated further when the company’s vice president of marketing made derogatory comments about its blue-collar beer-drinking base. Despite the backlash, Bud Light refused to apologize and instead tried to make up for it with marketing stunts like releasing camo-printed cans and offering steep discounts.
It’s clear that Anheuser-Busch is trying to regain the trust of its conservative consumer base by partnering with the UFC. By aligning themselves with an “anti-woke” organization, they hope to win back the customers who felt betrayed by their previous collaboration with a transgender influencer. Only time will tell if this move will help Bud Light reclaim its position in the beer market.
