Executives have apologized for a Budweiser beer slogan that critics claimed undermined anti-rape activists’ “no means no” campaign against sexual assault.
As part of Bud Light’s #UpForWhatever campaign, beer cans were printed with the slogan: “The perfect beer for removing ‘no’ from your vocabulary for the night.” An image of the slogan was first picked up by a Reddit user, then criticized widely by social media users and even members of Congress.
RT if you agree @budlight #UpForWhatever campaign should promote responsible - not reckless - drinking. #NoMeansNo pic.twitter.com/EFxwi2nZ4w
— Nita Lowey (@NitaLowey) April 28, 2015
On Wednesday, Alexander Lambrecht of Anheuser-Busch, which owns Budweiser, apologized in a statement.
Lambrecht said the two-year-old ad campaign “has inspired millions of consumers to engage with our brand in a positive and light-hearted way. In this spirit, we created more than 140 different scroll messages intended to encourage brand engagement.
“It’s clear that this particular message missed the mark, and we regret it. We would never condone disrespectful or irresponsible behavior,” Lambrecht said. “As a result, we have immediately ceased production of this message on all bottles.”
The slogan is just the campaign’s latest gaffe. On St Patrick’s Day a brand account tweeted that revelers could “pinch people who aren’t #UpForWhatever.”
