Bud Light Apologizes for "#UpForWhatever" Campaign After Angering Fans Who Interpreted Slogan as Pro-Rape

Find out what the alcohol company is saying about their controversial label

By Brett Malec Apr 28, 2015 11:37 PMTags
Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light, NFLAnheuser-Busch

Oh no, Bud Light.

Bud Light is apologizing today for angering fans and critics with a marketing slogan many people interpreted as pro-rape.

As part of the alcohol company's "Up For Whatever" campaign, Bud Light recently began labeling their bottles with the phrase, "The perfect beer for removing no from your vocabulary for the night." #UpForWhatever." Instead of encouraging people to adopt a carefree attitude and open minds, critics read the slogan differently and called out the company for seeming to endorse rape and unwanted sexual advances.

"The Bud Light Up for Whatever campaign, now in its second year, has inspired millions of consumers to engage with our brand in a positive and light-hearted way," Alexander Lambrecht, Vice President of Bud Light at Anheuser-Busch, tells E! News in a statement. "In this spirit, we created more than 140 different scroll messages intended to encourage spontaneous fun. It's clear that this message missed the mark, and we regret it. We would never condone disrespectful or irresponsible behavior."

As for the backlash, some responded very seriously on Twitter while others made fun of Bud light for their questionable slogan. "The irony here is that most people would only drink Bud Light against their will," one person tweeted.

Comedian Daniel Tosh shared, "i want everyone to watch my show tonight, so have a bud light or two, because i am not taking ‘no' for an answer. #tosh."

Read on for some more reactions.

—Reporting by Lindsey Caldwell