Anheuser-Busch to discontinue Bud Pong promotion

20/10/05 Anheuser-Busch, Inc., has announced that it is discontinuing its Bud Pong promotion in retail accounts. "It has come to our attention that despite our explicit guidelines, there may have been instances where this promotion was not carried out in the manner it was intended," states Francine I. Katz, vice president of communications and consumer affairs. The promotion guidelines specified the use of water in the cups, not beer, so as not to encourage irresponsible consumption.

Bud Pong was just one of several promotions available to Anheuser-Busch wholesalers to create an interactive experience for contemporary adults at bars and clubs, where adults must be 21 and older to participate. "The intent of this program was to provide adults who socialize in bars with a fun activity," Katz explains, "and we believe overwhelmingly that those who have participated in Bud Pong have enjoyed themselves, while acting responsibly."

Katz continues, "However, as a company that has invested more than $500 million to promote responsible consumption among adults and to discourage abuse, we believe it is important that our intentions with Bud Pong not be misperceived. While we will continue to bring interactive promotions to bars and taverns for those of legal drinking age, we are ending Bud Pong."

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