Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here

take action
For every $1 states spend dollar sign on substance misuse and addiction, 94 cents go to shovel up the consequences instead of for treatment and prevention. TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS

What Can I Do?



Continuing Education
Free online courses for addiction counselors LEARN ONLINE

Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP

 

Budweiser 'Fan Cans' Come in College Team Colors
August 24, 2009

Share Share Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Anheuser-Busch is releasing a series of 27 can designs for Bud Light featuring the colors of college sports teams, but the schools' reactions have been decidedly mixed, the Wall Street Journal reported Aug. 21.

The brewer contends that the promotion is aimed at legal-age drinkers and that the cans don't include any team logos. Some schools seem accepting of the idea, but others are calling on the company to stop the marketing campaign, saying it encourages drinking among college students -- many of whom are under age 21.

Marketing materials accompanying the "Team Pride" campaign urge, "Show your true colors with Bud Light," and state: "This year, only Bud Light is delivering superior drinkability in 12-ounce cans that were made for gameday."

The Collegiate Licensing Co., which represents the NCAA, complained to Anheuser-Busch about potential trademark violations in the campaign, and at least 25 schools have asked that the promotion be dropped. The University of Michigan threatened legal action if the brewer attempts to sell maize-and-blue colored cans anywhere in the state, and Boston College, the University of Colorado, Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M have tried to prevent sales of the cans near their campuses.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by John B. Mays on 25 Aug 09 11:37 AM EDT
Cheers to those institutions of higher learning who voice their opposition to this type of promotion. If all colleges affected would voice their oppostion, maybe we would have less institutions of "higher learnig".

Posted by maxwood on 25 Aug 09 04:31 PM EDT
"Team Pride" is glorification of violence and everybody knows it (the big money is in fatbull oops sorry football, heavily padded men like tanks crashing into each other; the "cheers" go something like "Go A, beat B!"). Much of the bullying endemic at campuses consists of having to prove on "gameday" that you can drink "as many" (i.e. 12-ouncers) as the other guys do. (Otherwise you will have no friends and will get picked on.) Thinly veiled terrorism drives profits in that industry. One Canadian study (please somebody look it up) found binge drinking amounted to 45% of their sales.

Posted by George on 26 Aug 09 05:37 PM EDT
It is not at all surprising that Anheuser-Busch would have a promotion such as this. I sincerely believe they might try to sell their products to anyone. Hats off to colleges that asked them to stop.

Posted by anonymous on 20 Sep 09 03:24 PM EDT
You people kill me. I don't see how any colored can is going to influence any more drinking than tailgate parties etc already do. People will buy the beer no matter what color the can is. I understand the institutions concerns, but maybe they should look at fraternity drinking etc.... One or two colors on a can aren't going to change things.

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Note: Comments are now held for moderator approval. More info

Name:

Comment:
(limit 250
words)

Enter this word
(help):
Change

GUIDELINES: 
Please keep comments on-topic, courteous, clean, non-commercial, and within the word limit.
Read the complete guidelines