Title: Anheuser-Busch to Lay Off Workers Amidst Backlash to Sales Campaign Featuring Transgender Activist
Subtitle: Bud Light’s Decline in Popularity Leads to Company’s Restructuring
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the parent company of Bud Light, has announced that it will lay off several hundred employees as it seeks to recover from a backlash caused by a sales campaign featuring a transgender activist. The move comes as Bud Light faces an ongoing decline in popularity, with the Mexican import Modelo surpassing it in recent market research data.
According to a spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch InBev, approximately 350 employees will be affected by the layoffs, which accounts for less than 2 percent of its 18,000-person U.S. workforce. However, the cuts will only affect corporate functions and will not impact the brewing, warehousing, or sales staff.
In a statement, Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth emphasized the company’s focus on long-term success, stating, “While we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success.”
Bud Light has long been known as the most popular beer in the country, with its iconic blue cans and memorable ad campaigns. However, the brand has experienced declining sales since March, when promotions featuring transgender TikTok producer and activist Dylan Mulvaney sparked controversy among conservatives, leading to a boycott. This move also had unintended consequences, as some liberals chose to avoid the brand as well, resulting in a further decline in sales.
The impact of this backlash is evident in the company’s stock performance, which has dropped by 11 percent since the end of March. In comparison, the S&P 500 has seen a 10 percent increase over the same period.
The issue of boycotts over LGBTQ+ sales campaigns has affected other major brands as well. In June, Target removed Pride Month merchandise and promotional materials from certain store windows after threats against employees fueled by online disinformation campaigns. As a result, the retailer’s stock has fallen by 14.5 percent in the past three months.
These boycotts have gained momentum, with certain influencers highlighting perceived culture war issues. Commenting on the situation, right-wing Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh tweeted in April, “We can’t boycott every woke company or even most of them. But we can pick one, it hardly matters which, and target it with a ruthless boycott campaign. Claim one scalp then move onto the next.”
As Anheuser-Busch InBev adjusts its workforce in response to the decline in Bud Light’s popularity, the company aims to regain its position in the market and recover from the negative repercussions of its sales campaign that featured a transgender activist. The ultimate goal is to ensure long-term success and appeal to both conservative and liberal consumers alike, while addressing the challenges of the ongoing culture war.