Bud Light's Playbook: Hits, Misses, and My Artist's Perspective / by Damianus Lamont

Hey folks, let’s get straight to it. Today, we're diving into Bud Light's recent marketing misstep. Now, if you've been tuning into my stuff, you know I’ve got a thing for journey development, diversification, and personalization. And Bud Light? Seems they could've benefited from a playbook on those.

The Gist of It:

Bud Light tried to up their game, collaborating with the ever-controversial Dylan Mulvaney. The fallout? A significant chunk of their audience, especially the LGBTQ+ community, was none too pleased. Their attempt to mend fences was the "positivity and unity" campaign. Respect for trying, but it left me, and many others, wondering: could they have played it better?

Where I Think They Went Off-Track:

Bud Light aimed for resonance, but missed the mark on really understanding the core sentiments of their audience. Marketing isn't just about flashy collabs, it's about resonating – striking that chord. And when you're diversifying, as Bud Light tried to with country singers and NFL players, it needs to be more than skin deep.

Here’s How They Could Remix It:

  1. Tailored Personalization: It's the digital age, people. Time to leverage that data. Craft messages that hit home, depending on who's listening. Different strokes for different folks, right?

  2. Engage Through Experiences: Interactive content is where it's at. How about some slick AR experiences or a Bud Light flavor journey, where users can craft or vote for the next big flavor?

  3. Genuine Dialogue: Instead of stepping back, dive in. Open forums, community engagements, real-time feedback sessions. The key? Genuine engagement, no corporate script.

  4. Diversification with Depth: Step out of the norm. Pop-up experiences, limited edition collabs, or even community-driven initiatives. They've got the resources; it's all about using them creatively.

Wrapping it up, AB InBev and Bud Light might have missed a beat, but there's always room for a comeback. With the right strategy, an ear to the ground, and maybe a touch of that artist's flair, they can reclaim their narrative. And hey, Bud Light, if you ever want an artist's perspective, you know where to find me. Let's grab a cold one and get to work. Cheers! 🍻