Anheuser-Busch focuses on clean water over beer in Super Bowl ads

A resident of East Porterville, California, holds a can of water donated by the Anheuser-Busch company in the area’s fourth year of drought on Feb. 11, 2015.

Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest brewing company, is devoting two Super Bowl ads this year not to beer, but water. The new TV spots, from the brewer’s popular brands Budweiser and Stella Artois, both focus on the need for clean water in different parts of the world.

It’s undoubtedly an effort by Anheuser-Busch to show off its accomplishments in corporate social responsibility, but it’s also an example of trends in Super Bowl ad spend toward promoting good causes, rather than simply trying to sell products. And this year, these ads could spread some much-needed awareness.

The Super Bowl has long offered the best TV ad real estate of the year. More than 112 million people are expected to watch the big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots on Sunday, with coveted advertising spots costing " north of $5 million " for 30 seconds. That’s a lot of eyes, which is why "Stand By You" — the one-minute, heartwarming Budweiser ad that stops just short of being emotionally overwrought — […]

Full article: Anheuser-Busch focuses on clean water over beer in socially conscious Super Bowl ads