…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
Anheuser-Busch, the company that owns Bud Light, has put two executives on leave following their management of the beer company’s sponsorship of two Instagram posts from transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, according to media reports.
The vice-president of marketing for Bud Light, Alissa Heinerscheid, and Daniel Blake, vice-president of Anheuser-Busch overseeing the mainstream market brands, have both been placed on leave.
The Wall Street Journal reported the news.
Dylan Mulvaney, a 26-year-old TikTok star and actress, posted images of customized beer cans with her face on to promote Bud Light, following her Nike campaign promoting sports bras.
However, Mulvaney faced criticism from some online trolls over the adverts.
Who is Dylan Mulvaney?
Dylan Mulvaney is an actress and comedian from the United States who has become a well-known face, especially among Gen Z, through her videos on Instagram and TikTok.
She grew up in a conservative family, raised as a boy, and starred in stage musical The Book of Mormon, as well as in other plays as her profile grew.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, she came out as a trans woman.
Although she has been living as a woman for only a year, she said she has felt female since childhood.
She shared her journey on social media and celebrated her anniversary of being a girl last month.
She has more than 10 million followers on TikTok.
Why has Dylan Mulvaney attracted criticism?
Mulvaney’s profile increased when she met President Joe Biden at a presidential forum for NowThis News and they discussed gender issues.
After they both condemned transgender legislation favoured by Republicans, she became a target of online trolls and more mainstream opponents.
She was given further exposure when she became the face of two major advertising campaigns.
Firstly, on April 6 she dressed in leggings and a sports bra while doing yoga to advertise Nike Women.
The promotion was the subject of a fiery debate on GB News.
Then, over the Easter weekend, she posted the Bud Light campaign on her Instagram.
This led to further discussion about her credentials. Conservative-aligned musician Kid Rock filmed himself shooting Bud Light beer cans in response.
Country musician Travis Tritt said he would boycott the brand.
Mulvaney told podcast host Rosie O’Donnell that she believes she is an easy target because she is new to this and going after a trans woman that has been doing this for like 20 years is a lot more difficult.
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