On Campus: Bud Light 'Fan Cans' program ends after UW-Madison, other schools object
There will be no slinging back UW-Madison-themed Bud Light cans this fall, after university officials objected to Anheuser-Busch's "Fan Cans" program.
UW-Madison is apparently one of several colleges and universities that complained about the promotion -- which sells cans of Bud Light in school colors -- causing Anheuser-Busch InBev to drop the campaign from communities around the country, according to the Associated Press.
An attorney for UW-Madison sent a letter to Anheuser last week protesting any effort to sell "Wisconsin beer cans adorned with the University of Wisconsin's red and white team colors," arguing that it would create an association between Anheuser-Busch products and the University of Wisconsin sports teams which "does not exist."
The beer company responded by promising to end the "Fan Cans" program in the area so as to avoid a dispute with the university. However, Anheuser-Busch says it stands by its legal right to market Bud Light in cans with color combinations also used by UW-Madison.
Vince Sweeney, vice chancellor for university relations, said he hasn't conducted "exhaustive research," but doesn't think any cans made it to the sales floor in the Madison area.
Read the On Campus blog: www.madison.com/wsj/blogs/oncampus