It’s a tale as old as time: a tale of two industries, of country music and cold beers, of botched PR stunts, and of billions of dollars going up in smoke. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, grab your cowboy boots and your beer mugs because we’re delving into the jaw-dropping saga of CMT and Bud Light.
When CMT decided to yank Jason Aldean’s controversial hit “Try That in a Small Town” off their broadcast, they probably expected some backlash. But what they didn’t expect was the severity of the consequences. The fallout was more significant than a Nashville tornado, and CMT found themselves in the eye of the storm, losing a staggering $200 billion and earning the ire of country music fans around the world.
But while CMT is feeling the heat, it seems they’re not alone. Enter Bud Light, the behemoth of beers and a brand that knows a thing or two about PR disasters. Following a misguided PR stunt with social media star Dylan Mulvaney, Bud Light is finding itself in similar straits to CMT.
In a blunder that’s now famous, Bud Light partnered with Mulvaney for their “Easy Carry Contest.” They sent Mulvaney a special can featuring her face and the message, “Cheers to 365 Days of Being a Woman,” a nod to her transition. Mulvaney, in return, posted a video with the cans on Instagram and TikTok.
The idea may have seemed golden at first, but like a badly poured pint, it quickly turned flat. Mulvaney’s followers were left frothing at the mouth, accusing Bud Light of exploiting her transition for publicity. And the conservative side of the internet? Well, they blew a gasket, calling for boycotts and labeling the stunt as overly “woke.”
In a turn of events that must have left their marketing team crying into their beers, Bud Light also faced billions in losses, making them a kindred spirit to CMT. It seems misery does indeed love company!
Now, CMT and Bud Light are becoming the unwilling poster children for PR stunts gone wrong. Their missteps have not only cost them billions but have also left their reputations as battered as a dive bar at closing time.
Yet, as the dust settles on these PR disasters, there’s a certain camaraderie forming between the two. It’s a bond forged in the fire of public backlash, a shared understanding that sometimes, even with the best intentions, things can go sideways.
Yes, folks, CMT is the new Bud Light, and Bud Light is the new CMT. Two giants of their respective industries, united by shared misfortune and a newfound appreciation for the power of public opinion.
Will they recover from these setbacks? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure, they’ll be handling their PR stunts with a lot more care in the future. Because in the worlds of country music and beer, the only thing more important than a catchy tune or a crisp brew is staying true to your roots and your audience.
So here’s to CMT and Bud Light, may their futures be smoother than their recent pasts, and may they always remember the immortal words of country legend Willie Nelson, “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” Cheers!
