Man Behind Bud’s Iconic Ads Claims They Destroyed His Brand in a Week After 20 Years of Building

Introduction

Budweiser is one of the most iconic beer brands in the world, and much of its success can be attributed to its memorable advertising campaigns. However, the man behind those campaigns, former Budweiser creative director Bob Lachky, recently spoke out about how the brand’s new owners have dismantled his legacy in just a week.

The Story

In an interview with Adweek, Lachky explained that he spent 20 years building the Budweiser brand through advertising campaigns that emphasized the beer’s quality and heritage. He created memorable slogans like „This Bud’s for you“ and „True“ and iconic commercials like the Clydesdale horses and the „Wassup?“ guys.

However, when Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) acquired Budweiser in 2008, Lachky retired and the brand’s advertising strategy began to shift. According to Lachky, the new owners focused more on cost-cutting and short-term sales goals, rather than building a long-term brand identity.

This shift in strategy became even more apparent in 2020, when AB InBev laid off hundreds of employees, including many in the marketing department. Lachky was particularly upset to see the company disband the creative team responsible for the Budweiser Super Bowl ads, which had become a cultural phenomenon.

The Impact

Lachky’s comments highlight the tension that can arise when a beloved brand is acquired by a large corporation. While the new owners may have the resources to expand the brand’s reach, they may also prioritize short-term profits over long-term brand building.

This tension is particularly evident in the beer industry, where many small craft breweries have been acquired by larger companies in recent years. Some beer enthusiasts have criticized these acquisitions, arguing that the larger companies are diluting the unique qualities that made the craft breweries popular in the first place.

Ultimately, the fate of a brand after an acquisition depends on the priorities of the new owners. If they prioritize long-term brand building and respect the legacy of the brand’s founders, they may be able to continue the brand’s success. However, if they prioritize short-term profits and cost-cutting, they may end up dismantling the brand’s legacy in just a week

Original article Teaser

“It Took Me 20 Years to Build This Brand, They Dismantled it in a Week,” Says Man Behind Bud’s Iconic Ads

The marketing guru behind Budweiser’s famed ‘Whassup!‘ and ‘Talking Frogs‘ advertisements has slammed the company for destroying its reputation. The Telegraph has the story. Robert Lachky, whose adverts in the 1990s helped Budweiser become America’s most popular beer, said two decades of work had been ruined over Bud Light’s Dylan Mulvaney fiasco. “It took us 20 years to take Bud Light beer to the No 1 beer in the country and it took them one week to dismantle it,” Mr Lachky, Anheuser-Busch’s former chief creative officer, said. Bud Light has faced a revolt by conservative activists after partnering with transgender social media influencer Mulvaney. Sales have plummeted since Mulvaney, 26, shared videos of himself drinking from customised Bud Light cans with his own face

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