Anheuser Busch is in hot water after a recent marketing campaign for their popular beer brand, Bud Light, went terribly wrong.
In an attempt to show its support for the LGBTQ+ community, the company released a limited edition line of “Trans Cans” featuring the iconic Bud Light blue and white colors with a rainbow stripe and the transgender symbol.
However, the company failed to realize that the LGBTQ+ community is not a marketing ploy and that the trans community faces much more significant issues than just having their symbol on a can of beer.
The backlash was swift and severe, with many calling for a boycott of the brand.
To make matters worse, it turns out that the company vastly overestimated the demand for the “Trans Cans.”
They are now stuck with a million unsellable cans sitting in their warehouses, and no one wants to touch them with a ten-foot pole.
Anheuser Busch has since issued a public apology and promised to do better in the future.
But for now, they are left with a million cans of beer that no one wants to drink. It’s a sobering reminder that pandering to a community for profit is never a good idea.
Question: What steps can companies take to ensure their marketing campaigns are inclusive and respectful of all communities?
