Marketing Guru Behind Iconic Bud Ads Says Brewer’s “Destroyed 20 Years Of Work In A week” Following Trans Debacle
The man credited with making Budweiser America’s number one selling beer has claimed the current marketing fiasco engulfing the Bud Light brand has seen 20 years of work “dismantled” in just a week.
Ad man Robert Lachky is credited with such iconic Bud ads as its famous “Whassup?” promo campaign 1999 and the “Talking Frogs” commercial that debuted at the Super Bowl five years earlier.
Lachky even went on to be Bud Light’s brand manager, creating advertisements like the “I Love You Man” commercial in 1995 and the “Real Men of Genius” campaigns.
Under his tenure, Bud Light surpassed Miller Light as the top-selling light beer in the country. Lachky left the company just before it was purchased by Anheuser-Busch in 2009.
Robert Lachky
The former ad man now runs his own consulting firm in St. Louis and said Bud Light’s parent, Anheuser-Busch, only has itself to blame for the Dylan Mulvaney trans disaster that has seen sales of the beer drop 30 per cent and the very real threat it could lose its title of America’s biggest selling beer brand to rival Modelo Especial by the end of the year.
Speaking to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Lachky said: “It took us 20 years to take Bud Light beer to the number one beer in the country, and it took them one week to dismantle it.”
“It’s self-inflicted,” Lachky said, claiming Anheuser-Busch suffered from a “complete lack of corporate oversight and it’s been that way since [it] took the company over.”
Ever since the controversy broke nearly a month ago, Anheuser-Busch has flip flopped over its response.
Initially the marketer behind enlisting trans activist Mulvaney claimed the brand needed to go younger and attract more females to survive. Once the backlash started, she was sent on permanent leave.
Anheuser-Busch management even claimed it was the work of a junior staffer and they were completely unaware of the tie-up. Last week, the agency behind the creative was fired.
As reported on B&T on Monday, far from going away, bans and boycotts are now escalating, with some gay bars in the US banning the sale of all Anheuser-Busch’s beers in protest for the company failing to support Mulvaney.
Earlier this week, Anheuser-Busch global CEO Michel Doukeris blamed “misinformation and disinformation” that was spread online for making people believe cans with Mulvaney’s face were being sold across the US.
“We never intended to make it for general production and sale for the public…it was one post. It was not an advertisement,” Doukeris told the Financial Times.
“We need to clarify the facts that this was one camp, one influencer, one post and not a campaign,” he said.
Now data published on trade site Beer Business Daily has shown that sales of Bud Light has fallen in every region of the country since the start of the controversy.
Meanwhile analysts at HSBC have downgraded Anheuser-Busch’s stock because it is in the midst of a “crisis” over the marketing blunder.
Carlos Laboy, a managing director at HSBC’s global beverage sector, downgraded the stock of Anheuser-Busch InBev to a hold status. It means that investors should not buy or sell shares of the company.
Laboy said: “If Budweiser and Bud Light are iconic American ideas that have long brought consumers together, why did these marketers fail to invite new consumers without alienating the core base of the firm’s largest brand?”
Latest News
X Defends Record On Removing Child Abuse Content As It Promises A Safer Environment For Advertisers
B&T warns this article references the murky & sordid world of online child abuse. Plus, the murky & sordid Elon Musk.
Thursday TV Ratings: Seven Just Beats Nine With The Chase Coming Out Top
Is there a study into the correlation between Thursday's diminished TV numbers & the increased sale of pub schnitzels?
Indie Agency Communicado Raids Thinkerbell For Its Two New Associate Creative Directors
Thinkerbell duo depart for rival agency Communicado. Leaving speeches were said to be convivial but restrained.
“Utterly Irresponsible!” Sportsbet Slammed For Near-$20m Marketing Blitz As Gambling Ban Approaches
Smokers have been picked on for 30 years, now it's time for the gamblers. And the drinkers should start getting nervous.
Casella Appoints Dig As Creative Agency On Yellow Tail Wine
There's three givens at B&T's Friday staff drinks - the Yellow Tail, the Cheezels and the incessant bickering.
Seven Prioritises The Matildas Over The News AND The AFL In Extraordinary Decision Ahead Of The Women’s World Cup Quarter Final
Scott and Charlene's wedding now under serious threat as Saturday's Matilda's game threatens to smash all TV records.
News Corp Earnings Down Across The Board Despite Jump In Subscribers
Rupert can't find a coin for his ALDI trolley as News Corp earnings drop calls for renewed round of belt tightening.
Despite The Outrage & The Bans, The Sports Bet Category Remains Adland’s Zaniest (See This!)
The Guardian may no longer be running sports bet advertising, but as you'll read here, B&T has far less morals & ethics.
Last Chance To Buy Tickets For This Year’s B&T Women In Media Awards!
B&T's not giving away too many secrets to the Women In Media Awards suffice to say two words - chocolate and fountain.
The Trade Desk, Magnite & LiveRamp Deliver Growth, PubMatic Flat In Q2 Earnings
B&T's calling this your Q2 earnings wrap. We even considered wheeling out "must read" to help it along a bit.
Cinema Chain Spoofs Classic Movies In Wonderfully Funny Work To Entice People Back Into Theatres
Call it the Barbenheimer effect, but cinema's suddenly cool again. Yet, absolutely no uptick whatsoever for drive-ins.
Mediabrands Launches Internship Program For Aspiring Media Professionals
Mediabrands are on the lookout for young, enthusiastic go-getters for its internship program. But then, aren't we all?
Nike Celebrates The Matildas & Young Aussie Female Athletes In New Work By Conscious Minds
In what can be best described as a rare treat, it's a localised Nike ad. Kinda like finding the milk's not out of date.
Why Your CX Technology Should Focus On Connections
This expert opines it's not about your newfangled tech stacks, it's about your customers. Even the ones you detest.
WPP & Optimizely Partner To Bring Informed Digital Experiences To Brands & Consumers
Often think WPP's a 'canary in the coal mine' for industry trends? Well, avoid the black lung reading this latest.
Dylan Alcott & Hnry Team Up To Relieve Aussie Sole Traders Of Scary Tax Admin
Can the effervescent Dylan Alcott make tax admin even remotely interesting? Watch as he gives his best shot here.
D&AD Shift With Google Sydney Announce Class Of 2023
Need to poach some hot young agency talent? Poach away here, but just don't rat on B&T for the heads up.
Digital Media Agency Bench Rebrands To The Digital Disruption Agency
You could say Bench has been benched, as agency rebrands to the Digital Disruption Agency.
Seven Appoints Indie Creative Agency Emotive To Reshape Broadcaster’s Brand
Seven planning a brand zjoosh and spring clean. Although the offical corporate red and the number 7 is off limits.
Elon Musk Says The ABC Prefers “Censorship-Friendly” Social Media
It appears the ABC's found a new enemy in Elon Musk. However, News Corp remains entrenched at the top of the enemy list.
Wednesday TV Ratings: The Chase Just Beats The Block To Entertainment Win
Nine wins Wednesday night. However, Seven tells rival you'll get that and more come Saturday's Matilda's match.
B&T’s Best Of The Best Technologists, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus
Somewhat ironically, this top 10 technologists list wasn't written with any help from ChatGPT or AI whatsoever!
Former Woman’s Day Editor Fiona Connolly Appointed Head of News’ Lifestyle Network
You could say ink runs in the veins of women's magazine veteran Fiona Connolly. And sponge cake recipes.
X Adds Brand Safety Tools In Bid To Bring Back Ad Dollars
Elon back contemplating the colonisation of Mars after finding this whole Twitter thing one huge headache.
ACMA Rules Kyle Sandilands’ Monkeypox Comments Breached Decency Rules And Were Offensive To Gay Men
Watchdog rules Kyle offended gay men. Punishment includes listening to Barbra Streisand & Céline Dion CDs on repeat.
Ozzy Osborne Bites Off More Than He Can Chew With Banned PlayStation Ad
Ozzy Osborne continuing to surprise. No more so than the fact that he's actually still alive and kicking.
Swisse Wellness Wheels In the Celebs To Stop Late Night Doom Scrollers
Is your sleep routine two Quaaludes and a swig from the sherry bottle? There's tips here for a more blissful night.
“All Good Things Must Come To An End, Well This One Barely Got started!” Jerker Fagerström Quits Thinkerbell After Eight Months
Thinkerbell fridge sans all smörgåstårta & pickled herring as Jerker Fagerström heads for the utgång (exits).
Footballing God Cristiano Ronaldo Bumbles His Way through New Work For Fan App Zuju
This ad proves Cristiano Ronaldo is just one of the guys. Just a filthy rich one of the guys, that is.
Samsung Ads’ Marj Hetherton On Why CTV Is The Most Exciting Area Of Advertising
Samsung Ads' Marj Hetherton says CTV is the most exciting area of advertising. That and nine-hour client lunches.
CommBank Matildas REMOVES Tim Tam TikTok Following B&T Story
If Tim Tam's marketing team wants to send B&T some freebies for this free press we'll take any flavour but mint or dark.
Tinder’s New Global Campaign Says Online Dating Need Not Be An Unrivalled Hell
If there were truth in advertising, these spots would feature a drunk bloke with poor hygiene who lives with his mother.
ADMA Adds New Speakers For Upcoming Global Forum
ADMA confirms speaker line-up for upcoming Global Forum. Also, 300 arancini balls locked-in for the networking drinks.
IMAA Census Predicts Growth In BVOD/CTV, Digital Video And Podcasts
The IMAA census is like a finger on the pulse of Australia's adland. And we all need a solid finger now and then.
Prestige Brands Targets Gen Z With Racy Billie Eilish Perfume Ad Via Spark Foundry
Billie Eilish the latest celeb to release a fragrance. Meanwhile, B&T still waiting on an Angus Young eau de toilette.
The Australian Women’s Weekly Celebrates Its 90th Birthday
The Weekly celebrates its 90 birthday. B&T believes the first-ever copy is still in our GP's reception.