Anheuser-Busch is generating lots of buzz with ads that
are as bawdy as they are hilarious, but you won't see it on
television, and it barely mentions the beer it's
advertising. These ads are too hot for TV and quite
obviously market to the 16-30 Internet demographic. The
problem is that that demographic is way too young for
alcohol advertising.
The first is dubbed "Swear Jar," the too-risque-for-TV ad debuted
on the Internet in 2007. A minute long, it begins with
an office worker asking about a jar at the reception
desk. It's a "swear jar," he's told: Anyone who swears
puts in a quarter. The expletives fly when workers learn
the money will be used to buy a case of Bud Light (the
roughly 17 bad words are bleeped out).
Anheuser-Busch can make the point that "Swear Jar"
showing office workers and the like, specifically
targets an older demographic, but how they can do that
with the video we show below and really the entire
contest that focuses on young women in lingerie.
Trust us, we were 16 once and this hits right in the
middle of our demographic then and now.
Known as viral ads, such Web-only spots have become
YouTube staples and show up in social networking pages,
get e-mailed between friends and co-workers. These ads
are heavily traded between younger males especially.
Great marketing actually, morally, somewhat questionable
though.
View the videos below and decide for yourself.