GAMEDAY! The Buzz with Bud Light Fan Cans

What are "Fan Cans" 

Bud Light Fan Cans were introduced across the country in 2009.  The concept is to sell cans of Bud Light that are packaged in colors that correspond to those of large universities. Fan Cans are a great way to show school spirit even though they have no affiliation to school logos or names. 

This black and yellow Bud Light would be strategically distributed around the country to target a particular audience of fans. This can will be targeted at a wide variety of football fans including Iowa Hawkeyes, Missouri Tigers, and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Photo By: The Man Eater

The Buzz

The Controversy over Bud Light Fan Cans

 This promotion did not settle well with some universities, they claimed Bud Light was making a wrongful association with the school by using the school colors as a promotion. Many of these universities said that the cans promote underage drinking.  The fact that over half college students are under the age of 21 raises concern as to who the promotion is actually targeting. This promotion has been quiet since its release in 2009. In my research, I found very few signs of advertisement or social media presence for the products. I took matters into my own hands and sent an e-mail to Bud Light to find out what is up with the Fan Cans.

Photo by: Chris Dunn

Fan Cans Still Hot Commodity 

Through my research I was able to connect with customer service at Budlight.com via e-mail. I found out that Bud Light still produces and distributes fan cans.  However, many colleges have asked Bud Light not to promote the the beer around campus.  Bud Light has respected the decisions of the universities and withdrew the product from those cities. As the promotion continues to encourage school spirit around college campuses, Bud Light asks that you wait until you are 21 to consume alcohol and to do so responsibly.

Photo Credits: Stl. Today

Are Colored Cans Enough to Make Other Loyal Drinkers Switch to Bud Light?

Would college football fans stray from their favorite beer brands to be portrayed as a better football fan?

The fact that fan cans exist after years of criticism proves that the promotion is a success.  College students who drink light beer interchangeably would be more likely to grab fan cans off the shelf to help show their school spirit on game day.  I think that fan cans are a great way to sell more products and increase brand image that Bud Light has created as the perfect beer for football.

What do you think?

Please Comment!

•  What do you think of the Bud Light Fan Can Promotion?

• Would you abandon your favorite brands to drink a Bud Light from a colored can?

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College Stadiums Selling Beer on Game Day

Wake Forest Joins The Party

Wake Forest University of Winston-Salem North Carolina, will be added to the list of colleges who plan on selling beer in the stadium for the 2014 football season.  According to newsobserver.com Wake Forest opened up the Top Hat Tavern at BB&T Field.  The tavern sold beer and wine during the teams home opener on September 6th.

BB&T Field Winston-Salem, North Carolina
 Photo Credits: Landon Owen

Who Is Already At The Party?

Wake Forest will join the 21 colleges who currently serve alcohol in campus stadiums. 

 

Click HERE to view the colleges who have already brought beer into their stadiums! 

 

According to an ESPN.com article, colleges are looking for ways to increase revenue on game day. Serving beer, and other alcoholic beverages at the game is a perfect way to "Bring the Tailgate into the Stadium". 

 

 Bringing the Party Back Inside

 

The parking lot party outside of the stadium is crowded with fans and students anticipating the big game. As kickoff approaches, thousands of fans divert form the stadium and search for a flat screen TV to watch the game. Many of those fans find a local tavern or restaurant, order some food and beers to keep the party going. 

 

 AP Photo/The Star Tribune, David Jole "There will be 21 on-campus stadiums where beer sales will be permitted this season. According to a survey, about half of those schools' concessions revenue is derived from alcohol sales."

 

This theme is all to common with today's sports fans. Why pay for a high dollar ticket in the nose-bleed seats when you can enjoy the game with a beer in hand on a high definition flat-screen?  College stadiums that do serve alcohol say it is not only additional revenue, it also enhances the environment of the stadium. Serving beer in the stadium is a great way to pack the stands with fans who have prior been opting to enjoy the game on the flat-screen, not to mention the substantial increase in revenue! 

 

What it Means for the Beer Industry