Bubbles to Troubles: The Bud Light and Dylan Drama Decoded!
Hello again! Firstly you would want to sit with a chilled beer to read this one because trust me by the end of it you are definitely craving one so don’t say I did not warn you!
Lets first decode this into 3 parts. Beer, Influencing and LGBTQ+
Firstly, beer. Who doesn’t like a nice chilled beer? So Bud Light does campaigns and collaborations to promote their product which as and when does really good for them.
Secondly, Influencing. Being one myself and a completely unbiased opinion (or maybe not), Influencers have tremendous effects not just on the people they influence but also on big brands. Brands today wanna work with people who their customers can find more relatable, hence.. “Influencers”.
Lastly, LGBTQ+. Who does not like inclusivity? With more and more brands embracing it, making everyone feel comfortable with who they are, I’m all for it.
Combining all this and what exactly happened. Bud Light decides to partner with Dylan Mulvaney, thinking, “Yay, inclusivity!” But then, the social media backlash tsunami hits. I mean, given how hot the topic of inclusivity is (which is fantastic, btw), a little more prep could have gone a long way. Like, maybe a solid plan to back up their partnership with Dylan beyond just handing her a can of beer? Just saying, a little support bubble here and there could’ve made all the difference.
So, was it really Bud Light’s Boo Boo? The villain in this story? Not entirely. Sure, Bud Light kicked off the partnership, but the backlash had more layers than a complex craft beer. It was a cocktail of societal attitudes, internet trolls, and maybe a pinch of not-so-great timing. But, hey, Bud Light did stir the pot, so they’re not totally off the hook. You know the pressure of being a big brand and the need to be more sensitive in how you present yourself.
What could have been done was for them to show support and stand by the influencers they hire, especially when faced with backlash or criticism.
“For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans person at all,” Mulvaney stated.
So what it looks like to me was that Bud Light wanted to play it safe. Not acceptable you know.
If I had to grade the way Bud Light handled the situation, I’d probably give it a C-. It felt like they were trying to walk on eggshells while carrying a six-pack. Not easy, right? Their response seemed a bit, well, watered down.
Did They Brew a Better Future?
From where I’m standing (or, well, sitting with my laptop), it seems like they might have lost a bit of their sparkle among the younger, more inclusive crowd. And, in today’s world, where your vibe attracts your tribe, being genuine and supportive is key. Maybe it’s time for Bud Light to go back to the drawing board and brew up some solid plans for truly supporting their partners and the values they toast to.
The whole Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney episode was more than just a marketing mix-up, a lesson in the importance of genuine support and standing firm in your brand’s values. And hey, as young folks shaping the future, let’s keep championing inclusivity and holding brands accountable to do the same. After all, in a world full of diverse tastes, there’s always room for more flavors of kindness and support. Cheers to that! 🍻
