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Updated 146 Days ago

Efforts to Save A-B: too disjointed to work?

There has been an absolute crush of information online about how you, in your own small way, can be part of the movement to "save" Anheuser-Busch.  You know all the details of the attempted takeover by Belgian brewer InBev, so I'll spare you that.  What I'm wondering is whether the speed and access of the internet is actually harming efforts to create a unified, grass roots, uprising.

Just look around online.  There's SaveAB.com, which claims more than 66-thousand online signatures.  Second on the Google list is SaveBudweiser.com.  with over 59-thousand signatures and a catchy little song!  On Facebook, there are 28 different groups pushing the cause with as many as 3500 members in one, and as few as 4 members in another.  Another slew of Save A-B entries shows up on MySpace.

I'm sure I'm just scratching the surface, but my point is that, to use a military analogy, our forces are horribly scattered.  I'm sure there are many repeat members in those varying online groups out there, but imagine if they were all somehow organized into one!  If you can assemble a vocal, active group of a quarter million people or so, then you're starting to accumulate enough grass roots power to at least be a voice in the process. 

Whether it's enough to win or lose the battle remains to be seen.  One thing is clear, however.  InBev is intent on buying Anheuser Busch.  The deal will only be stopped if a)stockholders are somehow convinced not to sell their individual shares, or b)the possibility of backlash, and damage to the brand, is so great that InBev decides its not worth the money.  Those are things a grass roots movement might be able to impact.

For the moment, it looks like SaveAB.com is the most organized of the bunch. Of course, if everyone wants to use ToastedRav.com as a point of connection, let me be the first to say that all are welcome!

So what do you think?  Can any of this make a difference or is it all pointless posturing by beer guzzlers?



  • kopper 146 Days ago
    It's not just "beer guzzlers" that are against this, especially in St. Louis where the buyout could mean the loss of contracts with local advertising and marketing agencies that could result in the loss of hundred if not thousands of jobs. And that's not even counting what might happen to Grant's Farm and Busch Entertainment (theme parks). It's just ugly all around, so no matter how little impact you think you could make in voicing your opposition, it's better than remaining quiet about it. So join whatever group you want. Just make yourself heard.
  • George 146 Days ago
    For the record, Kopper, I use the term "guzzler" both endearingly and autobiographically.
  • FakeMayorSlay Staff 146 Days ago
    The best plan to save A-B is clearly laid out right here:

    http://toastedrav.com/post/2849
  • SandyShores 145 Days ago
    Having the public try to save AB lacks some thought in my opinion. The decision to accept or reject InBev''s offer was up to the board and only the board. What the average St Louis beer drinker thinks is irrelevant. It is analogous to having the country believe that OJ was guilty. In the end- it didn't matter what everyone thought or wanted...it was up to the jury and only the jury.
    No song or website should influence the board's decision. Their sole job is to do what's best for the stockholders.
  • George 145 Days ago
    Very true, Sandy, but I'd pose two questions:
    1. When your company's revenue is based on public consumption, doesn't public opinion, at least to a degree, have to be taken into account? A big enough public backlash could damage the brand. If the brand is damaged, stockholders lose money.

    2. You say the board's responsibility is solely to do what's best for the stockholders. True, but is what's best for the stockholders the short term profit on the stock or the long term health of the company? (Which could make the stock value rise that much more) I think we also need to remember that there are tens of thousands of A-B shareholders in this town, so public opinion, in some cases, represents shareholder opinion.
  • SandyShores 145 Days ago
    George-
    I can agree, somewhat, with your argument about diluting the brand. Except for one thing- there are WAY too many people who have always consumed AB products, that would continue to do so regardless of ownership of the company. The brand reputation may be slightly damaged, but I think it would be the AB overall brand (including theme parks and charitable organizations), not the opinion of Joe Beer Guzzler who will continue to buy his case of Bud Light or get it on draft at his favorite watering hole.

    As for the board being short-sighted...
    As much as I would like to believe otherwise, we live in an instant-gratification society. If Americans in general planned long term for things, we wouldn't be in the midst of a credit crunch and have the lowest savings rate ever recorded (it's NEGATIVE by the way). We live in a world of fast food, fast money, fast lives. A world where everyone charges food because they want it NOW even if they can't pay for it later. We live in a short-sighted world. To expect the AB board to be any different might be expecting too much. Would you rather them roll the dice and turn down the offer in hopes that the stock price will rise to an acceptable level to justify the risk? I think the board has proven with its spending over the years that it has not taken long-term ramifications (such as a potentially hostile takeover) into account. Had the company tightened the purse-strings a little and run a little leaner (just as Jane and Joe Americana should have been doing), then maybe we wouldn't be having this discussion in the first place.

    That all being said- I would like to see AB remain a St Louis company as much as everyone else. The company does wonderful things for the city and has been a true leader in philanthropic deeds. I just think it needs to be better managed, that's all.

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