Posted on 02/29/2020 9:56:08 AM PST by EdnaMode
Corona beer isn’t making any changes to its advertising despite the name’s unfortunate similarity to the deadly coronavirus.
Constellation Brands, which brews several variations of the popular lager, said in a statement that its customers “understand there is no link between the virus and our business.”
“Sales of Corona remain very strong and we appreciate the continued support from our fans,” Constellation Brands spokesperson Stephanie McGuane told CNN Business. “Our advertising with Corona is consistent with the campaign we have been running for the last 30 years and is based off strong consumer sentiment.”
Constellation said Corona Extra sales grew 5% in the United States in the four-weeks that ended February 16. That’s nearly double the trend of the past 52 weeks. Corona’s sales are heavily dependent on the US market, unlike some of its far-more-international rivals.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this terrible virus and we hope efforts to more fully contain it gain traction soon,” said Bill Newlands, CEO of Constellation Brands, in a statement. “We’ve seen no impact to our people, facilities or operations and our business continues to perform very well.”
Yet the spread of the coronavirus couldn’t have come at a worse time for Constellation, which is spending $40 million to launch its new Corona-branded hard seltzer. Part of the promotion includes a sponsored tweet that has sparked criticism for using the phrase “coming ashore soon.”
Replies to the tweet say the ad is in “poor taste” and that the brand should “lay low for a few weeks.”
Two surveys released this week show that the Corona’s brand is suffering from negative buzz.
5W Public Relations said that 38% of Americans wouldn’t buy Corona “under any circumstances” because of the outbreak, and another 14% said they wouldn’t order a Corona in public. The survey encompasses polling from 737 beer drinkers in the United States.
In another survey conducted by YouGov, the firm found consumers’ intent to purchase Corona fell to its lowest level in two years. The survey also showed that Corona’s buzz score, a metric that that measures favorability, has dropped significantly since the beginning of the year.
Constellation’s Newlands said those reports do not reflect the company’s business performance, calling the “misinformation” about the virus’ impact on Corona’s business “extremely unfortunate.”
Online searches for “corona beer virus” spiked in early February, but have since declined.
Constellation Brands’ stock dropped 4% on Friday and 8% on Thursday, although the entire stock market has fallen sharply as fear grows about the spread of coronavirus. The number of cases have climbed to 83,577 globally Friday. Nearly 3,000 people have died from the virus.
Man, what if Budvirus breaks out?
I refuse to believe that 38% of Americans are that stupid. They’re stupid enough to vote for Bernie Sanders, but not to think the corona virus has something to do with Corona beer.
Liberals/ Bernie/Biden/etc voters.
That’s because 38% are stupid.
Amazed they didn’t include “Trump supporters “ in the headline.
So 38% of Americans don’t drink beer. I thought it was more....
LOL. Good one. :D
OMG we have Maxine Waters, AOC, that bimbo from Texas that thought we walked on Mars, and you can’t believe there are that many STUPID people in the US!!!!
The survey, it turns, out, does not say this!
What it says:
-38% of beer drinkers say they wouldn't buy Corona (for any reason at all, including, presumably...they prefer other beer)
-4% of people who usually drink Corona say they would stophttps://t.co/X4Wa6tLR3z https://t.co/r37un3LRSG— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) February 28, 2020
I’m fairly certain that there have been more alcohol-related deaths than will ever be recorded by the corona virus . . .
Shiela Jackson Lee just remembered her name!!!
And stay out of Toyota Corollas, just to be safe.
All the corona factories are suspiciously close to sewage treatment facilities
LOL
Corona is the cheapest beer in Mexico.
And probably the worst too.
But for some reason, yuppies see the ads and buy the crap.
And Toyota hasn’t sold the Corona model her for decades...wonder if they knew what was coming?
Corona beer may have to go through a major rebranding.
But hey, not my business to make suggestions to the management of that brewery. Apparently they still have large enough market even without those who are boycotting the Corona brand just on the name alone.
The problem comes when the idea begins to seep out into general consciousness, and the repeated bad publicity begins to build over time. They could be killed by inches.
Someone who gives a crap might check the poll against Corona beer sales. If sales are suffering, maybe die hard Corona drinkers can stay home, quarantine themselves and make up for any loses after going to the store.
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