Former Anheuser-Busch Exec Calls for CEO to Resign After Mulvaney Fiasco
Former Anheuser-Busch executive Anson Frericks blasted current Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth on Saturday for the public relations disaster regarding transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, calling for his resignation or removal.
The controversy, which began with Bud Light airing a social media commercial with Mulvaney, has made the iconic beer brand lose $20 billion in market cap value in just a few months.
Trans Influencer Dylan Mulvaney Ad for Bud Light based on Super Bowl commercial pic.twitter.com/PoxKF0VHMF
— Admium 119 (@Admium119) April 9, 2023
Frericks began by blasting the decision for its significant financial cost.
“After all, the beer company’s decision to make trans-activist Dylan Mulvaney the face of Bud Light has cost a staggering $20 billion – and counting – in lost market cap value,” he wrote.
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Frericks then attacked Whitworth for his weak response to the controversy, which caused Mulvaney to ‘cut ties’ with the company.
“Mulvaney did something Whitworth should have had the wisdom to do weeks ago – cut ties.” He said, advising Whitworth to resign from the company.
Former Anheuser-Busch president pleads for current CEO to step down: ‘Had multiple chances and he's failed’ https://t.co/fu5djLKntX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 1, 2023
The former executive of the beer giant criticized Whitworth’s response to the issue, saying it “was predictably weak and indecisive,” and claimed his follow-up statement that the company “will focus on what we do best – brewing great beer for everyone and earning our place in moments that matter to our consumers,” meant “absolutely nothing.”
He cited an example of a statement released by Whitworth just days after the advertisement aired, saying that it only inflamed tensions on both sides of the issue due to being noncommittal.
“On April 14th, Whitworth made his first attempt at addressing plunging sales with a flat corporate response that neither mentioned the specific controversy nor apologized for it. Instead of helping, it made things even worse: inflaming both the customers who wanted an apology for the campaign – and those who were sympathetic to Mulvaney and wanted to see the company defend the influencer.”
Consumers on both sides of the aisle have expressed frustration at Anheuser-Busch as the company has still attempted to play both sides by releasing patriotic commercials while still appealing to the LGBT community.
Bud Light has not learned a thing. pic.twitter.com/j8uY4AFtME
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 25, 2023
Frericks noted that after the half-apology issued by Whitworth, “Bud Light subsequently experienced its worst weekly sales numbers since the Mulvaney partnership.”
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The statement from Whitworth said that Bud Light ‘never intended’ to divide people with its advertisement.
“We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer,” He said.
Our Responsibility to Americahttps://t.co/4GEriQtQfE
Anheuser-Busch/14 Apr 2023We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer
Brendan Whitworth
CEO, Anheuser-Buschqt-maga-4506 #BorderObserver pic.twitter.com/fIbqbJJNp6
— The Border Observer (@borderObserver) May 6, 2023
Frericks went on to say that Whitworth has proven that he is ‘incapable’ of solving the public relations crisis that has severely harmed Anheuser-Busch’s reputation.
“Whitworth has clearly shown himself to be incapable of solving the Mulvaney crisis. He’s had multiple chances and he’s failed. It’s time he did the right thing and stepped aside to make way for someone capable of righting the sinking Bud Light ship.”
He concluded by reiterating a call for Whitworth to resign as CEO of the company.
“As such – and I take no pleasure in passing this judgment – it’s clear to me that it’s time for the shareholders and board of Anheuser-Busch to ask Whitworth to step down.”
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