E-Malt.com News article: USA: Anheuser-Busch hosting Bud Bowl 2007 events

Anheuser-Busch and its South Florida wholesalers are hosting Bud Bowl 2007 events in and around South Beach, free of charge, over the course of four days, Jan. 31-Feb. 3, in advance of the upcoming professional football championship, according to company’s press room, January 17. Spanning several blocks at Finnegan’s River, 401 SW 3rd Ave., near the city’s financial district, Bud Bowl headquarters will include the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the Budweiser Select Offshore Boat, live animals from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, and free concerts. Entertainment will be announced later this month.

When Bud Bowl first launched in 1989, a “battle of bottles” ensued as Budweiser squared off with Bud Light in a series of six 30-second TV commercials, capturing football fans’ undivided attention.

Bud Bowl has evolved over 18 years to become a multifaceted promotion in stores, bars and restaurants as well as a series of local events, including major concerts in the “big game’s” host cities. Coincidentally, when the promotion was conceived in 1989, South Florida was hosting pro football’s championship game, and the bar is raised each year for a “bigger and better” Bud Bowl.

“Adult beer drinkers associate great times with our great beers. Bud Bowl has been a huge success over the last 18 years in cities around the country,” said Eddy Leal, geographic marketing manager, Anheuser-Busch. “Bud Bowl will add to the excitement in our area surrounding the big game. “The events are geared toward local South Florida consumers. This is our way of thanking our loyal consumers for their ongoing support.”

Daytime Bud Bowl activities open to the general public include live presentations and up-close meet-and-greet interactions featuring animals from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens at Jose Marti Park. The SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Animal Adventures interaction area will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31 through Saturday, Feb. 3 at Jose Marti Park in Miami. Live animal presentations will take place daily on the hour at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day Wednesday through Saturday on the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Animal Adventures presentation stage.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador and national television spokesperson Julie Scardina will host the daily live presentations and interactions, introducing Bud Bowl guests to a variety of animals from a huge python to adorable penguins.

One of the highlights of Bud Bowl is the appearance of the eight-horse Clydesdale hitch. These “gentle giants” have been an Anheuser-Busch symbol of tradition since the first Clydesdale hitch and red beer wagon paraded to celebrate the end of Prohibition in 1933. The hitch will be on display in the parking lot adjacent to Finnegan’s River where the public can view these amazing animals up close. Viewing times will be from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 31-Feb. 3.

Although football is undoubtedly the focus of the week, fans will have an opportunity to view the Budweiser Select offshore boat, which makes a return visit to Miami. The Dave Scott Budweiser Select Offshore Race Team is one of the most successful offshore race teams in history, having earned seven world championships and eight national championship titles since 2001. The team also is the proud owner of six offshore speed records. Dave Scott and throttleman John Tomlinson have more than 32 years of combined experience in offshore powerboat racing.

On Feb. 3-4, Budweiser and Bud Light will stage two of Miami’s must-see “One Night Stand” concerts at Finnegan’s River. Adult consumers 21 and older must have invitations to attend these concerts, which can be obtained through Budweiser promotions in area bars, clubs and restaurants and through radio station giveaways. There will be no tickets or invitations available at Finnegan’s River. Doors will open each evening at 8 p.m.

Guests will enter Finnegan’s River and be greeted by Budweiser and Bud Light ambassadors and paparazzi who will snap their photos in the red carpet entrance. As they enter the entertainment area, they’ll be greeted by music, dancing, a light show and video monitors strategically located throughout the expo area. Consumers will have the opportunity to purchase Budweiser, Bud Light and Budweiser Select in sleek aluminium bottles as well as 180 energy drink, new products and drink innovations from Anheuser-Busch.

“Budweiser and Bud Light are the best-selling beers in South Florida and we want to add to the fun of championship weekend by bringing top entertainment to a unique location,” said Leal. “These ‘One Night Stand’ concerts will be the hottest events in town, plus we have a few other surprises for our special guests that will add to their enjoyment.”

During Bud Bowl, Anheuser-Busch’s local Budweiser distributors, in partnership with the AAA Auto Club South and the Florida Highway Patrol, will offer "Tow to Go," a program offering free rides home and vehicle tows for anyone who has had too much to drink. By using "Tow to Go," individuals receive a confidential, free ride home and tow of their vehicle. Since the program’s inception in 1999, "Tow to Go" has provided more than 6,400 free, safe rides home.

For nearly a quarter century, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of 600 independent wholesalers have led the alcohol beverage industry in promoting responsibility and respect for the law, investing more than a half-billion dollars in alcohol awareness and education programs and partnerships.

Anheuser-Busch, now in its 19th straight year as the exclusive beer category sponsor of the Super Bowl broadcasts, holds category advertising exclusivity on telecasts through 2012. The game will be carried in 2007 on CBS.

Anheuser-Busch, through its Budweiser and Bud Light brands, has been an integral part of the South Florida sports scene for decades. The company is an official sponsor of the FedEx Orange Bowl which includes the 2008/2009 BCS national championship game and tailgate party.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser‑Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.8% share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser‑Busch also owns a 50% share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27% share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2006. Anheuser‑Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminium cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminium cans.


19 January, 2007