Popular beer brand Miller Lite dropped a new advertisement featuring comedienne Ilana Glazer, notably of “Broad City”. The ad depicts Glazer walking through a warehouse full of the hyper sexualized images of women used to promote the beer brand over the past several decades, with women workers recycling and composting the pages. The ad pays homage to women brewers in the beer industry, which has long been dominated by men. Brewing beer originated with women in the historical region of Mesopotamia.
A @MillerLite commercial from March 2023 has conservative groups losing their minds, as they are only now discovering it.
The spot transforms sexist ads into fertilizer for Women's History Month, featuring comedian Ilana Glazer. pic.twitter.com/9IHscI4AQR— Los Angeles Magazine (@LAmag) May 15, 2023
The advertisement, which prioritizes women’s perspectives in an industry often critiqued for its sexism problem, is sparking backlash from several conservative influencers and media personalities over its messaging. Glazer is additionally an outspoken supporter of the Democratic party, which the right is using to add fuel to the fire. A photo of Glazer alongside 2016 presidential candidate Hilary Clinton has conservatives blasting the beer brand for including a seemingly liberal spokeswoman.
Miller Lite really chose this person to be the face of their working-class beer brand.
These ad agencies are suicidal. pic.twitter.com/9ECEQliJRR
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 15, 2023
Conservative Backlash
One conservative personality from the Daily Caller posted a screenshot of Molson Coors’ Chief Marketing Officer Sofia Colucci’s social media, in which she praised former President Barack Obama’s leadership. Obama was a Democratic president, and the Daily Caller is notoriously right-leaning, and was founded by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Miller Lite’s head of marketing Sofia Colucci:@DailyCaller https://t.co/5saNcCZ8Zf pic.twitter.com/JhRH229hM4
— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) May 15, 2023
Henry Rodgers, the Chief National Correspondent for the Daily Caller, claimed that Colucci deleted the post and several others. It is unclear if they existed in the first place, or if the Caller is spreading misinformation.
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She has since deleted this post and more. Don't worry I have screen shots. More to come. Stay tuned to @DailyCaller
— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) May 15, 2023
The advertisement has viewers drawing comparisons to the recent controversial Bud Light sponsorship. Bud Light sponsored popular transgender TikTok influencer and actress Dylan Mulvaney. Kid Rock and several celebrities misgendered Mulvaney.
Miller Lite learned nothing from the Bud Light disaster. pic.twitter.com/tXySq3PvOb
— The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show (@clayandbuck) May 15, 2023
Amid today’s controversy, several continue to reignite the transphobic hate campaign against Mulvaney. Ilana Glazer is a cisgender woman. While several conservative women are still complaining about the advertisement, one stated that at least Glazer is a “real woman”.
Five years ago we’d be boycotting Miller Lite for this stupid feminist sh$t (pun intended) but at least they have actual women in their ad instead of a simpering man cosplaying a woman.
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) May 15, 2023
Additionally, some are even criticizing liberal arts institutions for “creating” contemporary feminism.
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Miller Lite's new spokesperson is an angry women's studies major who complains to her cats about hot women in bikinis, tells everyone her pronouns… and can't figure out why no one wants to date her. pic.twitter.com/BW4XiJt2dh
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) May 15, 2023
The Left’s Response
On the other end of the spectrum, central and left leaning viewers had more positive reactions to the ad campaign. The facts stated throughout the commercial were all historically accurate, and it offered a transparent look at the brand’s past mistakes.
I agree. I found the ad kinda refreshing to be honest.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) May 15, 2023
Others continue to argue that beer companies should stick to the old ways. Beer has long been stereotypically associated with straight men.
US beer companies need to get back to 100% heterosexual masculine images like this… #millerlite #BudLight pic.twitter.com/9vFZ8FX4HZ
— Christian Christensen (@ChrChristensen) May 15, 2023
Naturally, amid the right-wing backlash, some are vowing to boycott the brand.
Miller Lite has entered the wokespace of course. May they go bankrupt. ???? https://t.co/T4tWPpQ8wQ pic.twitter.com/VUu7oaYoVq
— 9mmSMG (@9mm_smg) May 15, 2023
An independent journalist raised a unique perspective. The ad is not necessarily political in its content, but does credit women with founding the beer industry. The support for women in positions of power is being politicized by its audience.
Is Anti-wokeness now going way too far?
Miller Lite is now under attack by many on the right for creating this ad, which pays homage to women. The ad is actually a joke about “Good $#!T.”
So many people are now accusing this of being a “woke ad” because it gives credit to… pic.twitter.com/5laXJ3Utv8
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) May 15, 2023
Miller Lite is yet to respond to the controversy surrounding the ad campaign.
