According to the Wall Street Journal, another top marketing executive at Anheuser-Busch has taken a leave of absence following the massive backlash stemming from Bud Light’s partnership with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Daniel Blake, who oversees marketing for Anheuser-Busch’s mainstream brands, became the second executive placed on leave following the blowback.
Last week, Bud Light’s vice president of marketing, Alissa Heinerscheid, took a leave of absence from the company.
As we previously reported:
Ad Age reported that the senior executive of marketing since 2022 “has taken a leave of absence, the brewer confirmed, and will be replaced by Todd Allen, who was most recently global marketing VP for Budweiser. Heinerscheid did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.”
The outlet further reported, “The brewer has also streamlined its marketing function to reduce layers “so that our most senior marketers are more closely connected to every aspect of our brand’s activities,” a company spokesperson said in a statement, adding that “these steps will help us maintain focus on the things we do best: brewing great beer for all consumers, while always making a positive impact in our communities and on our country.”
Heinerscheid recently addressed the conflict on the Make Yourself At Home podcast, saying Bud Light’s previous marketing was “fratty” and “out of touch.”
She said, “This brand is in decline, it’s been in decline for a really long time, and if we do not attract young drinkers to come and drink this brand, there will be no future… it’s like we need to evolve and elevate this incredibly iconic brand. What does evolve and elevate mean? It means inclusivity… it means having a campaign that’s truly inclusive and feels lighter and brighter and different. And appeals to women and to men.”
“Daniel has also decided to take a leave of absence,” said an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson, per the Journal.
It was noted that Blake handled a lot of marketing for Budweiser and Bud Light, while employed at Bud Light for nine years. Blake’s replacement has not yet been revealed.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth refused to formally apologize for the partnership with Mulvaney, claiming the brand “never intended” to divide Americans, despite it doing precisely that.
Following the backlash from the Mulvaney fiasco, AB lost approximately $6 billion in market value.
All of the beer brands to boycott amid Dyland Mulvaney’s Bud Light partnership