Anheuser-Busch CMO Benoit Garbe Quits Amid Declining Bud Light Sales

Anheuser-Busch InBev US lost its chief marketing officer after he decided to step down from his post. Benoit Garbe is leaving the company as the sales of the firm’s Bud Light drinks continue to drop despite efforts to revive it.

In any case, the reports of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s CMO’s departure come not long after the beer producer reported a decline in Bud Light sales. The main reason for the continued drop is said to be the backlash it received over various controversies that started with the Dylan Mulvaney incident.

Anheuser-Busch Confirms Marketing Chief’s Exit

As per CNN Business, Anheuser-Busch released a statement on Wednesday, Nov. 15, announcing the upcoming resignation of Garbe. As he vacated his seat, the company said that Kyle Norrington, the current US chief commercial officer, will temporarily take over.

There could have been a lot of pressure for Garbe as Anheuser-Busch posted a 13.5% decrease in the third quarter in its revenue in the United States per 100 liters which is a key measure of beer sales. This result possibly played a big part in his decision to step down.

At any rate, the numbers started to plummet after Bud Light teamed up with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney and the response from the public was so negative at that time. It ultimately created various controversies and sales have been dull since then.

Reason for Departure

It was said that Garbe is set to resign from his CMO role at Anheuser-Busch InBev US at the end of this year. The brewing company reportedly announced his resignation this week.

As for the reason for his decision to step down, BrewBound reported that the company’s spokesperson said that Garbe is giving up his role to “embark on a new chapter in his career.” he has been the firm’s CMO since the last part of 2020 and was the replacement for Fabricio Zonzini who left in the previous year.

Photo: Anheuser-Busch Media Gallery