Ancher Busch, the beer giant behind popular brands like Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, has fired its entire marketing department following a series of tweets from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Elon Musk, known for his controversial statements on Twitter, called Anheuser Busch’s advertising strategies “stale” and “outdated”. He criticized the company’s use of Clydesdale horses in its advertisements, saying it was a “waste of resources”.
The tweets quickly went viral, sparking heated debate among beer lovers and marketing professionals alike.
Some defended Anheuser Busch’s marketing approach, citing its long-standing history and cultural significance. Others agreed with Musk, arguing that the company needed to modernize its branding in order to remain relevant.
In response, Anheuser Busch’s CEO, Michel Doukeris, announced that the company would take a new direction in its marketing efforts.
“We believe that our advertising has become outdated and predictable,” Doukeris said in a statement. “We want to thank our former marketing team for their contributions, but this is a time for us to develop and embrace new ideas.”
The decision to sack the entire marketing department has been met with mixed reactions. Some have applauded the company’s bold move and called it a necessary step towards innovation.
Others have criticized the decision, arguing that it was an overreaction to a few tweets from one person.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk is sticking to his comments. He tweeted, ‘I stand by what I said. “Anheuser Busch needs to step up its game if it wants to compete in today’s market. And as for the Clydesdale horses, guess I better have a use for them.
It remains to be seen in which direction Anheuser Busch will take its marketing efforts next. But one thing is certain: The beer giant has definitely caught the public’s attention with its bold move.