Just a few days ago, NetZero television ads spoofing AOL’s “Make the Internet better” campaign went on the air. On Thursday, it appears that Budweiser has joined the fun, creating a spoof of their own on Miller’s “Referee” spots that feature football referees calling penalties on people drinking Budweiser or offering it to others.
The first time I caught it was during CBS’ Thanksgiving Day coverage of the Colts-Lions NFL game. It features some referee-dressed people going up to partygoers, taking their “fresh beer” and replacing it with “this Miller Lite,” much to the chagrin of the people being de-beered. It seems the referees didn’t want the Miller, and thought that “fresh” beer was a better choice.
Damian Penny caught it as well. He thinks the refs are “the most annoying on television,” so I’m not sure if this is good or bad from his perspective.
1 response so far ↓
1 Ryan Shane // Nov 30, 2004 at 10:38 am
The problem with Miller is that despite having great commercials in the past, they failed to differentiate their brands from Budweiser. The “ref” commercials have done that. People are saying “Wait a minute, you mean I have a an alternative?” The sad thing is that Budweiser is responding to the Miller ads. Although the Bud response is funny, I still associate the ad with Miller. Most advertising scholars will tell you that the top dog (Bud has 50% market share in US) should not even acknowledge the little guy (Miller has 20% market share). Bad move Bud, I’m sure you could have approved something original.