Budweiser's Commercial and the Internal Conflict that Ensued

        Anheuser-Busch has pre-released two of their Superbowl commercials. One centers around a Budweiser Clydesdale and a puppy. It's completely adorable, mixing the Great American farm narrative with puppy and horse choreography and attractive actors. But the other one is hardly cute or adorable. In one minute it tells the story of Lt. Chuck Nadd returning home from war to a parade in his hometown of Winter Park. Below is the commercial.

        The music fits perfectly--the featured song is Skylar Grey's "Coming Home." The narration on the screen is simple yet poignant. The view from which they show the hug in the airport is not too close. The look of surprise on Lt. Nadd's face is perfectly authentic. The emotional hug gives me goosebumps. It's beautifully done. 

        But then another part of me, the cynic in me, wonders if this is okay. Is Anheuser-Busch using our military and Lt. Nadd to sell beer and earn money? Is the company taking advantage of our troops and emotionally manipulating us to connect patriotism and Budweiser? Maybe. But would I rather have Budweiser make some dumb shallow ad like most beer commercials are? Absolutely not. 

         I don't really care that I now associate Budweiser with patriotism and saluting our troops. I don't care because this commercial doesn't make me want to drink a Budweiser; it makes me want to hug my brother. Anheuser-Busch is using this enormous advertisement opportunity-- a minute during the Superbowl-- to focus on our troops instead of the beer. The cynic in me needs to shut up and let the tears well up in my eyes.