Anheuser-Busch disavowed the Dylan Mulvaney marketing campaign, telling its partners that it had nothing the do with the effort.
According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, which cited a letter to wholesalers that was forwarded to some bars and restaurants, the brewing giant dismissed the Bud Light campaign as “one single can.”
“This was one single can given to one social media influencer,” the letter reportedly stated. “It was not made for production or sale to the general public. This can is not a formal campaign or advertisement.”
Since the transgender social-media influencer celebrated a year since transitioning to female with custom-made cans and congratulations from Anheuser-Busch, sales of Bud Light have collapsed by 26%.
The Post Dispatch reported that Anheuser-Busch’s letter was forwarded to retailers, bars and restaurants by Grey Eagle, which distributes Anheuser-Busch products to areas around St. Louis and which included a cover letter.
“Anheuser-Busch did not intend to create controversy or make a political statement,” that letter said.