Miller Lite is not taking Bud Light’s on-the-nose Super Bowl ad lying down. The beer brewing company is fighting back. No, it is not prepping a counter ad. Or at least, it does not seem to be for now. It is using the power of words to make its case.
MillerCoors took a full-page ad out in the New York Times to address the advertisement aired during the Super Bowl. For context, Bud Light went big for the Super Bowl with another installment in its “Dilly Dilly” ads. There was a Game of Thrones one, but more on that later. In the one Miller Lite is taking aim at, Bud Light made a recurring joke about Miller Lite including corn syrup in its brew.
In a retort that would tempt everyone in Westeros into a smirk, MillerCoors acknowledges the ad’s claim. It merely asserts that what the ad disclosed is really no big secret. In the counter ad, the beer brewing company says that its use of corn syrup is “a fact,” per AdAge. They also point out that it is a regular ingredient used in brewing and not the same as high-fructose corn syrup.
Adding to that point, MillerCoors went on to thank its competitors for “taking the time and money to point out this exciting fact.” MillerCoors is clearly not upset about having its use of corn syrup exposed. Nor is it shying away from taking the issue head-on, while making a little dig at its competitor.
The company goes on to say that majority of America’s beer drinkers agree that Miller Lite has “more taste than Bud Light.” Something they again, cite as a fact.
While stating that Bud Light started an “an unnecessary #corntroversy” with their ad, Miller Lite did express gratitude to Bud Light for something. In their words, helping start a conversation that gave them the chance to “clarify the truth.”
Another fact they want to remind beer consumers of is that Miller Lite has “more taste” and with “fewer calories and half the carbs” than Bud Light. Nutrition facts in hand, the ball is now in Bud Light’s court.
Whichever side you are on, Bud Light’s ad certainly sparked a lot of attention. To clarify -- the corn syrup advertisement is different from the Game of Thrones crossover ad that Bud Light also did. The one about its competitors' use of corn syrup was entirely different and did not include a stunning jousting scene. Or one of Daenerys’ dragons flying. That one was pretty epic.
Still, the one about corn syrup is worth a watch. Check it out below:
However consumers come down on the beer feud, Game of Thrones did partner up with Bud Light for an ad that served both well. It promoted the premiere of Game of Thrones’ final season, and it promoted Bud Light with a glamorous glow. For its part, Miller Lite has shed some interesting light on the ad aimed at its brew.
Game of Thrones Season 8, a.k.a. the final season, premieres Sunday, April 14, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. The series is among many shows that await viewers in the midseason.
