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College Complaints Squash Some Bud Light 'Fan Cans'

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 25, 2009 10:10 PM CDT

(AP) – Anheuser-Busch is dropping its "Fan Cans" promotions from communities around the US where colleges have complained that the effort—which sells cans of Bud Light in school colors—promotes underage drinking and infringes on trademarks. Federal industry regulations require at least 70% of an advertisement's audience to be above 21, and that doesn't happen on college campuses, a Federal Trade Commission exec says.

The "Fan Can" program puts school colors on Bud Light cans and was launched to coincide with the start of football season—a popular time to drink beer. Anheuser-Busch says the cans have no college logos, names or other identifiers—just 27 color combinations. Some 25 colleges represented by Collegiate Licensing Co. have sent the brewer formal letters asking it to stop the program at their campuses, according to the company, which represents some 200 colleges and universities. It declined to name specific schools.

With college football season kicking off next weekend, there's bound to be an uptick in campus-area beer sales.
With college football season kicking off next weekend, there's bound to be an uptick in campus-area beer sales.   (Wikimedia Commons)
One of 27 designs for the company's promotional  Fan Cans is shown.
One of 27 designs for the company's promotional "Fan Cans" is shown.   (Anheuser-Busch InBev)
It's unclear how many schools complained about the Bud Light Fan Cans program.
It's unclear how many schools complained about the Bud Light "Fan Cans" program.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Shannonals
Aug 27, 2009 2:16 AM CDT
As if the colleges and universities are ensuring their students aren't underage drinking. The colleges and universities are just upset the Beer companies are making money based off of their colors without giving them a share of the funds.
NxBigmouthery
Aug 26, 2009 9:23 AM CDT
21's a bit old, really. If you can kill, die, vote, drive and pay taxes...you should be allowed to have a damn drink.
Fig-Neutron
Aug 26, 2009 3:26 AM CDT
I would never drink a beer with Ohio State colors. OK, maybe...

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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