Last night as the Super Bowl aired, many people watched with family and friends as the Patriots and the Rams played. However, the main reason people watched the Super Bowl — 77 percent of our Instagram followers — was for the ads. In previous years there have been ads that have put a spotlight on agriculture, for the good and bad. Like any other year, this year promised to bring 30-second ads worth $5.3 million each, to entertain us during the game. As I sat during the first quarter watching the Bud Light commercial, I was stunned.
Bud Light dished out $5.3 million to let everyone know that they do not brew their beer with corn syrup — oh, and called out Miller lite and Coors Lite for doing so. #AgTwitter had something to say about that. Many corn farmers stated they were disappointed in Bud Light’s ad and will be switching to a different beer. Although small, the farming community can make an impact on their choice in beverages. My question for Bud Light would be this, who were you trying to impress? Was that $5.3 million commercial really worth it? Also, when you have to explain your ad, maybe you try again.
Check out the responses below to see what social media thought about Bud Light’s dig at corn farmers.
.@BudLight America’s corn farmers are disappointed in you. Our office is right down the road! We would love to discuss with you the many benefits of corn! Thanks @MillerLight and @CoorsLite for supporting our industry. https://t.co/6fIWtRdeeM
— National Corn (NCGA) (@NationalCorn) February 4, 2019
As a lifelong #cornSyrup farmer I am very offended by the #budlight commercial. Long live #corn syrup
— Curtis McK?? (@cam4714) February 4, 2019
So #AgTwitter is blowing up about the anti corn #budlight commercial. My pennies are we can't drink enough to change the balance sheet. I challenge all of you to start using #ethanol e85 in every vehicle you can!
— Scott Berger (@bergfarm23) February 4, 2019
Just saw a Budlight commercial boasting about how they don't use corn syrup in their beer. WHO DRINKS ALCOHOL AND THINKS IT'S A "HEALTHY" DRINK???
— Angy El-Khatib, MPH, CHES (@angyotensin) February 4, 2019
As a corn grower & @budlight drinker, I’ve tried to ignore the fact @budlight isn’t brewed with corn. The new commercial primarily sticking it to corn growers will finally push me to change brands. #who’swithme #SuperBowlLIII
— Mike Denton (@ifeed128) February 4, 2019
Hey #agtwitter I think I came up with a new twitter challenge. Hey @budlight from a multi generation family farmer this one's for you! pic.twitter.com/grV9vwZUUJ
— kenny reinke (@reinke_farms) February 4, 2019
Of course Miller Lite and Coors Lite were not just going to be called out and not have anything to say about it.
Hey Bud Light, thanks for including us in our first Super Bowl ad in over 20 years. You forgot two things though… we have more taste and half the carbs! #itsmillertime
— Miller Lite (@MillerLite) February 4, 2019
Some of the best shade was thrown out by Adam Collins, Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for Miller Coors. Advice to Adam, next tweet should be: “We welcome all disdained corn farmers.”
The Bud Light ad says more about their market position than it does about any @MillerCoors products. When was the last time ABI used their Super Bowl ad to attack a competing brand? Miller Lite has been gaining share for 17 straight quarters & someone's feeling the heat! ? https://t.co/d17BhcBBXc
— Adam Collins (@AdamDCollins) February 4, 2019
What do you think? Does any of this matter? Or do you see this as another opportunity for a company to explore marketing tactics to gain new consumers through fear marketing. We will let the consumer be the decision maker on this one.
