Why Budweiser's Super Bowl Wind Ad Is Bullshit: They Pay ALEC, They Pay The US Chamber

[hatrack]

EDIT

These projections aren’t good for Anheuser-Busch’s business, so the company has a financial interest in taking on this worthy cause. It’s also wise marketing, as research has shown that consumers are willing to pay around $1.30 more per six-pack of beer that they consider sustainably-produced. But while the company seeks to convince consumers that it’s environmentally responsible, behind the scenes it has associated with two groups that are enemies of the climate movement: The American Legislative Exchange Council, otherwise known as ALEC, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

ALEC is a shadowy, influential conservative group that develops model legislation promoting “principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism.” Its climate denialism and rejection of climate regulation has caused even major oil companies, like Exxon Mobil, to renounce membership. The anti-environment, anti-climate positions of the Chamber of Commerce has also caused a number of businesses to leave the organization.

Both organizations keep their membership lists private, but there’s plenty of evidence to suggest Anheuser-Busch’s associations. The company is listed as an active member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and has been recognized as a distinguished member by several local chapters. Anheuser-Busch representatives were also on the list of attendees at ALEC’s 2017 annual member meeting, and more than 70 groups asked the company to drop its ALEC membership last year after a white supremacist spoke at the annual conference. Anheuser-Busch did not respond to that demand, nor did it respond to my request to confirm its memberships in these groups.

Anheuser-Busch frames its commitment to renewable energy and clean water as being for the good of the planet, not the company’s bottom line. “Climate change is the most pressing issue confronting our planet,” Anheuser-Busch CEO Carlos Brito said in 2017. “We at AB InBev are committed to doing our part.” But if that’s true, then the planet could use fewer virtue-signaling Super Bowl ads and more honesty about the political causes that Budweiser drinkers are unwittingly supporting.

EDIT/END

https://newrepublic.com/article/153016/budweiser-2019-super-bowl-ad-climate-change

[underpants]

1. Good read.

Thanks