The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe cover image

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

424: Anson Frericks—Last Call for Bud Light

Feb 4, 2025
Anson Frerichs, former president of Anheuser-Busch Sales and Distribution and co-founder of Strive Asset Management, shares insights into Bud Light's dramatic decline and the shift from shareholder profits to stakeholder capitalism. He discusses the mistakes that led to a loss of consumer loyalty and market value, and the ongoing challenges of corporate responsibility. Frerichs also highlights the balance between social issues and profitability, raising questions about brand authenticity and corporate identity in today's market.
01:22:51

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Anson Frerichs discusses how Bud Light's decline stemmed from poor marketing decisions that alienated its core consumers and failed to align with their values.
  • The podcast explores the shift from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder capitalism, emphasizing the challenges companies face when balancing profitability with social responsibilities.

Deep dives

The Unraveling of Bud Light

The discussion centers on the decline of Bud Light, highlighting the brand's recent struggles after being associated with controversial marketing decisions. The speaker emphasizes a fascination with the brand's unraveling, viewing it as a necessary consequence of ongoing societal debates about corporate virtue signaling. They express a desire for Bud Light to make a comeback, recognizing the underlying theme of accountability necessary for recovery. It is also noted that the conversation extends beyond Bud Light, reflecting broader issues faced by many corporations grappling with identity and market relations.

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