Bud Light’s advertising campaign may be encouraging rape with their new slogan: “The Perfect beer for removing ‘No’ from your vocabulary for the night.” The company has recently apologized for the message relayed in their campaign.
Controversy quickly ran on social media outlets with the company’s labels reading “Up for Whatever” on their bottles. Many back lashed on Twitter with pictures of the bottle and saying the slogan “Perpetrated rape culture.”
.@budlight, no means no. This ad perpetuates rape culture and we’re #NotBuyingIt http://t.co/RYuOxka54q
— Miss Representation (@RepresentPledge) April 28, 2015
The controversy even hit Congress. Democratic congresswoman from New York, Representative Nita Lowey was “grossly shortsighted” by the campaign. She said it shows the “Epic lack of understanding of the dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption, such as sexual assault and drunk driving. We need responsible companies to help us tackle these serious public health and safety problems, not encourage them,” she told the New York Times.
RT if you agree @budlight #UpForWhatever campaign should promote responsible – not reckless – drinking. #NoMeansNo pic.twitter.com/EFxwi2nZ4w
— Nita Lowey (@NitaLowey) April 28, 2015
Anheuser-Busch InBev owns many huge beer brands including Bud Light and others such as, Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Beck’s. A Budweiser spokesperson announced that the slogan was a one mistake made out of the 140 other campaigns established by the company, and that it would not appear on any more beers.
Vice President for Bud Light Alexander Lambrecht regrets the campaign saying, “We would never condone disrespectful or irresponsible behavior.”
Image via Twitter/Nita Lowey
