April 20, 2023 - 1:30pm
Since Bud Light unveiled its partnership with Dylan Mulvaney earlier this month, to mark the transgender influencer’s “Day 365 of womanhood”, US conservatives have been up in arms.
In the succeeding days, a campaign to boycott the beer gathered momentum on social media, with various activists proclaiming they’d never drink another Bud again — or, in Kid Rock’s case, unloading a submachine gun into a case of Bud and then yelling profanity at Anheuser-Busch, the beer’s owner. Palpably spooked, the company this week released a new, “patriotic” advert, featuring a horse galloping over the Brooklyn Bridge.
Could this be an opportunity for conservatives to finally teach pandering corporations a lesson — to show them that “get woke, go broke” isn’t just an empty slogan? (While many brands have become embroiled in controversies after showing support for Left-wing causes, few have suffered any real, long-term damage.)
I suspect it could. According to the latest sales figures, Bud Light is down while Coors Light and Miller Lite are up. What’s more, this divergence is mirrored in the stock prices of Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors (which owns the two competitor beers).
As the above chart indicates, the boycott gained mass appeal on 6 April when there was a huge spike in Google search interest. As of 16 April, interest remains elevated. Turning to the chart below, Anheuser-Busch’s stock price initially crashed 4.5%, though it has since recovered most of the loss. Meanwhile, Molson Coors’s stock price has jumped more than 10%.
This divergence may not seem like much, but it’s worth remembering that Anheuser-Busch is a behemoth that owns dozens of brands, including Becks, Corona and Stella Artois. Since most boycotters either aren’t aware of this or only want to punish Bud Light, expecting a large decline in the stock price isn’t realistic.
What is realistic? When corporations first started taking sides in the culture war, there was a sense among conservatives that “the market” would punish such behaviour and offenders would soon learn to cut it out. Events over the last few years have disabused them of this notion.
They now understand that simply venting one’s indignation on social media isn’t enough: to make corporations get the message, you actually have to do something. Of course, engineering change isn’t always easy. Boycotting the NFL was never going to work because you can’t “just start your own sports league”.
The market for beer, on the other hand, is pretty competitive. Most retailers that stock Bud Light also stock its main competitors, Coors Light and Miller Lite. So if you’re teed off with Bud, you can just grab a Coors or a Miller instead.
There are two potential outcomes the boycotters could call a success: Bud Light sales continue falling until the brand has lost a sizeable share of its customers, or Anheuser-Busch capitulates and issues an apology for the Mulvaney stunt.
For now, the campaign appears to be working, with 40% of Americans and 58% of Republicans saying they are less likely to purchase Bud Light. If the boycotters do bag a win, it could mark the beginning of a major backlash against woke corporations.
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SubscribeNo doubt the Biden administration is already drawing up legislation to make not buying Bud Light a ‘hate crime’.
Biden yes: what else can be said about someone who doesnt even know where he was born for Gods sake.
He is so demented he is going around telling everyone he is Irish – but I point out he was born in Pennsylvania and the bulk of his ancestors come from Southern England – but someone tell him? He is American!
As the saying goes “Only in America”!
Not sneaky enough. Actually, Biden is drafting orders for the Pentagon to buy only A-B products for its comissaries officers’ and enlisted clubs world wide. Now that’s something he can do as Commander in Chief.
Biden yes: what else can be said about someone who doesnt even know where he was born for Gods sake.
He is so demented he is going around telling everyone he is Irish – but I point out he was born in Pennsylvania and the bulk of his ancestors come from Southern England – but someone tell him? He is American!
As the saying goes “Only in America”!
Not sneaky enough. Actually, Biden is drafting orders for the Pentagon to buy only A-B products for its comissaries officers’ and enlisted clubs world wide. Now that’s something he can do as Commander in Chief.
No doubt the Biden administration is already drawing up legislation to make not buying Bud Light a ‘hate crime’.
We need to start embracing the slander that the left is constantly throwing at conservatives. I am not scared of Trans people. I simply cannot tolerate their indoctrination tactics. Call me what you will, but I am not going to accept grooming, which is ultimately all about population control.
…and just for clarity, all these media folks referring to Mulvaney as “she, her, and actress” are part of the problem. (based) That is a guy in woman-face, plain and simple. Nothing transphobic about truth people!
‘Fauxdrey Hepburn’
Quite right.
‘Fauxdrey Hepburn’
Quite right.
…and just for clarity, all these media folks referring to Mulvaney as “she, her, and actress” are part of the problem. (based) That is a guy in woman-face, plain and simple. Nothing transphobic about truth people!
We need to start embracing the slander that the left is constantly throwing at conservatives. I am not scared of Trans people. I simply cannot tolerate their indoctrination tactics. Call me what you will, but I am not going to accept grooming, which is ultimately all about population control.
Won’t catch me in Nike again either.
And I hope you will not be using Gillette (or Wilkinson Sword owned by Gillette) products either.
Aldi sell more than adequate razors and razor blades at modest prices and their shaving gel is less than £1 a can.
And I hope you will not be using Gillette (or Wilkinson Sword owned by Gillette) products either.
Aldi sell more than adequate razors and razor blades at modest prices and their shaving gel is less than £1 a can.
Won’t catch me in Nike again either.
The culture war really is a war. It’s time conservatives started fighting.
The culture war really is a war. It’s time conservatives started fighting.
All the CEO of Bud had to say was something like this…
“We made a mistake making Dylan an unofficial spokesman for Bud Light. We wish Dylan well, and we hope he occasionally enjoys a Bud Light, but we recognize our error. We respect both men and women equally, but part of that respect entails recognizing the uniqueness of each. To show our sincerity, we just fired the woman who was responsible for this fiasco.”
Instead we got lawyerly doublespeak and a farcically pro-American ad, thus making it clear that Bud thinks their customers are complete morons.
Bud thinks their customers are complete morons.
Have you ever tasted Bud Light? They ain’t wrong.
But intentionally, publicly disrespecting your core market is a big mistake.
He at least could have acknowledged his error, it was not an apology.
I may be a complete moron, but no working class person will ever risk getting caught with a ” queer beer” in their hands. Annhauser Bush can apologize until they are blue in the face, the damage has been done.
Wonderful Joe! “Bud Light… the queer beer.” You are so right; that will not be lived down for years.
Wonderful Joe! “Bud Light… the queer beer.” You are so right; that will not be lived down for years.
Bud thinks their customers are complete morons.
Have you ever tasted Bud Light? They ain’t wrong.
But intentionally, publicly disrespecting your core market is a big mistake.
He at least could have acknowledged his error, it was not an apology.
I may be a complete moron, but no working class person will ever risk getting caught with a ” queer beer” in their hands. Annhauser Bush can apologize until they are blue in the face, the damage has been done.
All the CEO of Bud had to say was something like this…
“We made a mistake making Dylan an unofficial spokesman for Bud Light. We wish Dylan well, and we hope he occasionally enjoys a Bud Light, but we recognize our error. We respect both men and women equally, but part of that respect entails recognizing the uniqueness of each. To show our sincerity, we just fired the woman who was responsible for this fiasco.”
Instead we got lawyerly doublespeak and a farcically pro-American ad, thus making it clear that Bud thinks their customers are complete morons.
My purchasing repertoire however is getting smaller. That’s Wickes (transactivism at Brighton Pride with a specifcally anti-woman message), Starbucks (non-acceptance of cash), Paypal (enough said), H&M/M&S (non- women only changing rooms), Ole & Steen bakery (non-acceptance of cash), etc all gone. At some point my virtue-signalling in the opposite direction may leave me rather hungry, naked, and without recourse to cash :>.
Starbucks also donated considerable sums to the child mutilation charity Mermaids.
Thank you for that information. I will no longer go to Starbucks once a week. Will that hurt them? No, but at least I will not be contributing a child mutilation scheme.
Thank you for that information. I will no longer go to Starbucks once a week. Will that hurt them? No, but at least I will not be contributing a child mutilation scheme.
If Apple’s smart glasses work out, you may eventually be able to subscribe to a service that rates any product you happen to be looking at, guides you to better choices, etc.
You can add Gillette to that list!
Starbucks also donated considerable sums to the child mutilation charity Mermaids.
If Apple’s smart glasses work out, you may eventually be able to subscribe to a service that rates any product you happen to be looking at, guides you to better choices, etc.
You can add Gillette to that list!
My purchasing repertoire however is getting smaller. That’s Wickes (transactivism at Brighton Pride with a specifcally anti-woman message), Starbucks (non-acceptance of cash), Paypal (enough said), H&M/M&S (non- women only changing rooms), Ole & Steen bakery (non-acceptance of cash), etc all gone. At some point my virtue-signalling in the opposite direction may leave me rather hungry, naked, and without recourse to cash :>.
Have you not been paying attention to Disney? Apparently it’s now their turn to hold Anheuser-Busch’s beer.
Have you not been paying attention to Disney? Apparently it’s now their turn to hold Anheuser-Busch’s beer.
Increasingly, the “Great Trans Lie” is being seen, and called out for exactly what it is.
I just need to be as vigilant as I reasonably can about where I spend my money. And, most effective is a stout verbal rejection straight back in the face of anyone who perpetrates this lie at me. It’s also extremely satisfying.
It’s a lie, it’s discriminatory, it’s bigoted. I like to describe it as all of these – all the time. It makes me feel honest.
Increasingly, the “Great Trans Lie” is being seen, and called out for exactly what it is.
I just need to be as vigilant as I reasonably can about where I spend my money. And, most effective is a stout verbal rejection straight back in the face of anyone who perpetrates this lie at me. It’s also extremely satisfying.
It’s a lie, it’s discriminatory, it’s bigoted. I like to describe it as all of these – all the time. It makes me feel honest.
I still don’t buy Gillette razor blades. Unfortunately, I moved to Harry’s who, it turns out are just as bad.
They’re all at it making it hard to avoid them
You could try Jeremy’s razors. They market themselves as an alternative to Harry’s and not woke.
Or Aldi
Thanks for the heads up. Just finishing off my supply of Harry’s when I realised I had backed the wrong horse and needed to change direction.
Not just not woke but explicitly anti- woke.
Thank you. I have sent the link to my daughters, thereby solving their Xmas and birthday present problems, iro me, in perpetuity
Thanks for that. I swapped to Harry’s after the Gillette fiasco. It seems I need to change tack again!
In fact Harry’s is owned by Wilkinson Sword which is in turn owned by, you guessed it, Gillette
In fact Harry’s is owned by Wilkinson Sword which is in turn owned by, you guessed it, Gillette
Or Aldi
Thanks for the heads up. Just finishing off my supply of Harry’s when I realised I had backed the wrong horse and needed to change direction.
Not just not woke but explicitly anti- woke.
Thank you. I have sent the link to my daughters, thereby solving their Xmas and birthday present problems, iro me, in perpetuity
Thanks for that. I swapped to Harry’s after the Gillette fiasco. It seems I need to change tack again!
In fact Harry’s is owned by Wilkinson Sword which is in turn owned by, you guessed it, Gillette
You could try Jeremy’s razors. They market themselves as an alternative to Harry’s and not woke.
In fact Harry’s is owned by Wilkinson Sword which is in turn owned by, you guessed it, Gillette
I still don’t buy Gillette razor blades. Unfortunately, I moved to Harry’s who, it turns out are just as bad.
They’re all at it making it hard to avoid them
Ahem, testing, testing the bot mod.
Besides advertising possibly the worst beer in the world ,how on earth did someone with no obvious athletic ability. a p_ _ _s and no t_ _s get to be chosen as the face for Nike’s women’s sports wear?
I am ALWAYS amused when “Bud” (usually only them) proclaim “its the best (tasteless/Soul-less) beer in the world”
There was a documentary on “Bud” (the American one) once and the finale was the head brewer taking a fresh brewed glass – tasting it and pronouncing it “the best beer in the World”
Well! If the head brewer thinks that – there is not much left to say but shake ones head.
In my humble opinion
I am ALWAYS amused when “Bud” (usually only them) proclaim “its the best (tasteless/Soul-less) beer in the world”
There was a documentary on “Bud” (the American one) once and the finale was the head brewer taking a fresh brewed glass – tasting it and pronouncing it “the best beer in the World”
Well! If the head brewer thinks that – there is not much left to say but shake ones head.
In my humble opinion
Ahem, testing, testing the bot mod.
Besides advertising possibly the worst beer in the world ,how on earth did someone with no obvious athletic ability. a p_ _ _s and no t_ _s get to be chosen as the face for Nike’s women’s sports wear?
Bud Light as a beer is as appetising as what comes out of a horse. Not nice.
I take your word for that
I take your word for that
Bud Light as a beer is as appetising as what comes out of a horse. Not nice.
I suspect that like most, I am neutral on trans people(unless it affects young girls in sports). However, this caught my attention because I have no desire to drink a beer with a trans on it. By doing so, I am effectively promoting trans.
It is always all about the money. AB did this to grab more market share. Given trans light beer drinkers are infintesimal, their market target was the woke culture in general and have admitted as much. I am boycotting Bud light primarily because of their shameless and errant marketing strategy. Hopefully the marketing director is fired and money talks back to AB.
I suspect that like most, I am neutral on trans people(unless it affects young girls in sports). However, this caught my attention because I have no desire to drink a beer with a trans on it. By doing so, I am effectively promoting trans.
It is always all about the money. AB did this to grab more market share. Given trans light beer drinkers are infintesimal, their market target was the woke culture in general and have admitted as much. I am boycotting Bud light primarily because of their shameless and errant marketing strategy. Hopefully the marketing director is fired and money talks back to AB.
Just as investment funds are pressured to invest in “socially responsible” companies, we need an anti-woke investment list.
Anyone know of a website that rates companies on their “wokeness” scale?
Just as investment funds are pressured to invest in “socially responsible” companies, we need an anti-woke investment list.
Anyone know of a website that rates companies on their “wokeness” scale?
Typical comments stating that this whole issue is minor. This is massive not just for women and girls but to everyone. Men who think they are women (will not use trans as you cannot transition to the other sex) allowed in rape crisis centers, using HRT, working in breast screening units, sport, toilets, changing rooms. Children brainwashed, put on dangerous chemicals, breasts and genitals removed. To you biological men this is with your daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers. Don’t dare say this is minor, not important. This is huge. Do your research.
Typical comments stating that this whole issue is minor. This is massive not just for women and girls but to everyone. Men who think they are women (will not use trans as you cannot transition to the other sex) allowed in rape crisis centers, using HRT, working in breast screening units, sport, toilets, changing rooms. Children brainwashed, put on dangerous chemicals, breasts and genitals removed. To you biological men this is with your daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers. Don’t dare say this is minor, not important. This is huge. Do your research.
It really isn’t just conservatives. It’s people of any political persuasion who are utterly racked off with being told that womanhood is just another bloody lifestyle choice, dependent on the right frock and lipstick. I’m looking at you Eddie Izzard
It really isn’t just conservatives. It’s people of any political persuasion who are utterly racked off with being told that womanhood is just another bloody lifestyle choice, dependent on the right frock and lipstick. I’m looking at you Eddie Izzard
And this seems the right thread to doff our caps to the great Barry Humphries who died yesterday. I hadn’t heard that recently he has been very vocal in the trans debate, calling transitioning “self-mutilation”. Apparently that makes him “controversial”. RIP Edna.
And this seems the right thread to doff our caps to the great Barry Humphries who died yesterday. I hadn’t heard that recently he has been very vocal in the trans debate, calling transitioning “self-mutilation”. Apparently that makes him “controversial”. RIP Edna.
By the way, there’s nothing left wing about transgender ideology. It’s promoted as progressive but only in the sense of progressive misogyny and progressive homophobia. It is more like a religious ideology than anything that could be considered socialist, if that is what you mean by left wing and its take up by large corporations demonstrates its neoliberal foundations.
By the way, there’s nothing left wing about transgender ideology. It’s promoted as progressive but only in the sense of progressive misogyny and progressive homophobia. It is more like a religious ideology than anything that could be considered socialist, if that is what you mean by left wing and its take up by large corporations demonstrates its neoliberal foundations.
James Lindsay said the Bud Light Equality Index Score had increased on the back of the Mulvaney inclusion and hence the S in their ESG score went up which in turn leaves them open to investment management via Black Rock and Vanguard. I haven’t confirmed this however.
James Lindsay said the Bud Light Equality Index Score had increased on the back of the Mulvaney inclusion and hence the S in their ESG score went up which in turn leaves them open to investment management via Black Rock and Vanguard. I haven’t confirmed this however.
“The market for beer, on the other hand, is pretty competitive. Most retailers that stock Bud Light also stock its main competitors, Coors Light and Miller Lite. So if you’re teed off with Bud, you can just grab a Coors or a Miller instead.”
I do not think it is that easy. Look at who ultimately owns these businesses. All the largest customer brands are owned by a handful of companies who in turn have the likes of Black Rock ad Vanguard as shareholders. The house always wins
“The market for beer, on the other hand, is pretty competitive. Most retailers that stock Bud Light also stock its main competitors, Coors Light and Miller Lite. So if you’re teed off with Bud, you can just grab a Coors or a Miller instead.”
I do not think it is that easy. Look at who ultimately owns these businesses. All the largest customer brands are owned by a handful of companies who in turn have the likes of Black Rock ad Vanguard as shareholders. The house always wins
The other company that successfully implemented a response to woke-ness was Chick-Fil-A. When a 2012 boycott was called due to their comments against gay marriage their sales rocketed upwards 12% by their loyal fanbase. (btw, they make the best chicken sandwiches)
I am for same-sex marriage, but I buy the best sandwich. I can tolerate their views. And eventually they stopped funding organizations that were anti-LGBT.
The other company that successfully implemented a response to woke-ness was Chick-Fil-A. When a 2012 boycott was called due to their comments against gay marriage their sales rocketed upwards 12% by their loyal fanbase. (btw, they make the best chicken sandwiches)
I am for same-sex marriage, but I buy the best sandwich. I can tolerate their views. And eventually they stopped funding organizations that were anti-LGBT.
Bud Light is barely alcoholic, and has no discernible taste.
Bud Light is barely alcoholic, and has no discernible taste.
Bud Lite is crap anyway!
Bud Lite is crap anyway!
Pish beer is a reflection on the drinker, catering for the limp wristed, the light on their feet. Stella diametrically opposite, known as ‘wife beater’ over here. They seem covered across the board.
Pish beer is a reflection on the drinker, catering for the limp wristed, the light on their feet. Stella diametrically opposite, known as ‘wife beater’ over here. They seem covered across the board.
The major issues between feminists and trans activist have been gender youth medical treatment and women only spaces. Dylan Mulvaney is irrelevant. She is doing her thing, making money, and not hurting anyone.
The Right’s insane reaction to her will hold back progress on important issues. Doesn’t that tell you something? Specifically, that the extremes on the right and the left don’t want progress or compromise, they would rather keep us at each other’s throats because they are profiting from division. As long as we argue about trivial things no problems are solved which is just what they want.
The major issues between feminists and trans activist have been gender youth medical treatment and women only spaces. Dylan Mulvaney is irrelevant. She is doing her thing, making money, and not hurting anyone.
The Right’s insane reaction to her will hold back progress on important issues. Doesn’t that tell you something? Specifically, that the extremes on the right and the left don’t want progress or compromise, they would rather keep us at each other’s throats because they are profiting from division. As long as we argue about trivial things no problems are solved which is just what they want.
A storm in a teacup about a lousy drink. AB’s agenda is simply to sell more beer. That’s it. Corporates woke up to the Pink Pound held by gay men who had no children (back in those days), weren’t married and had high disposable incomes. They advertised to them not to promote homosexuality any more than adding black people to your adverts promotes turning black! I would have thought true conservatives would understand it’s simply business and money. That’s all it is. Now if sales drop then… they’ll stop it.
If trans individuals were a wealthy demographic worth pandering to at the expense of the vast majority of the population, how does that square with claims that trans people are an oppressed minority suffering from poverty? You can’t have it both ways.
An oppressed rich minority?
That’s the way they see themselves
The new establishment will NEVER admit that they are in fact the establishment
That’s the way they see themselves
The new establishment will NEVER admit that they are in fact the establishment
An oppressed rich minority?
Why the down votes – the comment seems perfectly accurate.
I think ‘conservatives’ are smart enough to both understand its just business and be outraged at the adverts at the same time. Its not contradictory.
If trans individuals were a wealthy demographic worth pandering to at the expense of the vast majority of the population, how does that square with claims that trans people are an oppressed minority suffering from poverty? You can’t have it both ways.
Why the down votes – the comment seems perfectly accurate.
I think ‘conservatives’ are smart enough to both understand its just business and be outraged at the adverts at the same time. Its not contradictory.
A storm in a teacup about a lousy drink. AB’s agenda is simply to sell more beer. That’s it. Corporates woke up to the Pink Pound held by gay men who had no children (back in those days), weren’t married and had high disposable incomes. They advertised to them not to promote homosexuality any more than adding black people to your adverts promotes turning black! I would have thought true conservatives would understand it’s simply business and money. That’s all it is. Now if sales drop then… they’ll stop it.