Fact check: The marketing team behind the Dylan Mulvaney partnership was paid actual real money for their efforts.

1. Summary of the results

The marketing team behind the Dylan Mulvaney partnership was indeed paid for their professional work, as part of Bud Light's broader marketing strategy. The campaign involved creating a personalized commemorative beer can celebrating Mulvaney's "365 days of girlhood" ^[1]. The initiative was specifically directed by Alissa Heinerscheid, Bud Light's Vice President of Marketing, as part of a strategy to make the brand more inclusive and attract younger consumers ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original statement:

• The partnership led to significant organizational changes, including:
• The resignation of U.S. chief marketing officer Benoit Garbe ^[3]
• Alissa Heinerscheid and her boss Daniel Blake being placed on leave ^{[4] [5]}
• Anheuser-Busch's response to the backlash included:
• Plans to triple U.S. marketing spending ^[6]
• Providing financial support to front-line teams and wholesalers affected by the controversy ^[6]
• A statement explaining they "work with hundreds of influencers across our brands" ^[7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement's framing suggests something potentially improper about the marketing team being paid, when in fact:

• This was a standard professional marketing arrangement, part of a broader corporate strategy to expand the brand's appeal ^[2]
• False claims about the marketing team being fired were circulated, which Newsweek fact-checked and confirmed to be untrue ^[8]
• The company maintained most of its marketing structure, with only specific executives being placed on leave ^[5]

Those who benefit from pushing various narratives include:

• Conservative media outlets capitalizing on controversy around transgender issues
• Competing beer brands potentially benefiting from Bud Light's public relations challenges
• Social media influencers and news outlets generating engagement from ongoing coverage of the controversy