The End Of An American Icon

[flyfishmaster]

Today is a sad day not only for me but for a lot of American base companies that have fallen to foreign takeovers. If 6 months ago, you were asked on the street: Name 5 companies in the USA that are cornerstones to the Red, White and Blue, I'm sure one of them named would have been Anheuser-Busch. Well that is not the case today.

As of 8:00 AM (CDT) on Tuesday November 18, 2008. InBev announced that it has completed its acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. InBev has changed its name to Anheuser-Busch InBev "to reflect the heritage and traditions of Anheuser-Busch."

It hits me a bit harder than most of you on this forum because I work at A-B (or should I now say A-B InBev). The moral is very low.

As of today the top 8 VP of the company are retiring (and will be gone by this Friday). As of October 1, there have been close to 700 people take the Early Retirement package. That is a lot of knowledge working out the door is a short period of time. With an excepted 300 more by the end of November.

Yesterday, Sports marketing legend Tony Ponturo, who ended up as VP Global Media and Sports Marketing at Anheuser-Busch, has announced his retirement from the company. Tony topped most lists as the most powerful exec in sports marketing for many years. This is legendary guy is responsible for all the great commercials and ads we see.

I think I might have to drink my lunch today.

Later,

Kim R. Ahne

aka FFM

[patfish]

I feel for you Kim. Hang in there.

We got word here shortly after 8am, as AB is our single largest customer in the world. Our pricing agreement is up with AB as of December 1st. I will keep supporting them until they stop supporting us. Then, who knows. Its the least I can do for those that remain and I encourage others to do the same.

Carlos, oops I mean Brito(only his mommy and priest get to call him Carlos - nothing weird there ) even ruined the logo.

It is truly a sad day. Let's hope the trickle down doesn't get around to trickling at all on this deal.

FFM, let me know if you want to go to InBev Wildlife for some C&R.

Keep your head up and your glass full.

~Pat

[flyfishmaster]

Pat,

Thanks for your support and wish the best to you and your company as well.

As for the new logo, here is background according to "the company":

From our internal web site here at AB InBev: "The new AB InBev logo keeps the eagle, but now it's soaring instead of perched. The logo features the eagle in golden colors, to represent "strength, agility and focus, while at the same time looking forward and upwards to reflect our collective vision, drive and energy," says the company"

Later,

FFM

[davekeim]

FFM, moved to TR not too long ago from STL. If I was there I'd be eating (drinking) lunch with you. I bet you know where Gregg's is on Broadway! Along with all the Soulard places. What do you do at AB? Do you know some geek named Gordon from DSI? Ever been to a DSI beer and peanuts party? Just courious.

Keep smiling. There's always a worse day ahead.

Signed,

Cardiac

[flyfishmaster]

Cardiac,

I actually work in the Sunset Hills area in the Corporate Offices. I'm the I/T area so of course we are going to be one of the hardest hit when it comes to layoffs.

As for places in Soulard... I think, I mean I know I have been to all of them at least once or five times. I have 3 friend that live down there, it is fun place for sure.

As of DSI, I think you mean Doughty Systems. I know a few people there but not Gordon.

Thanks and I'm a happy drunk,

FFM

[Quillback]

Sorry to see Inbev jumping in, I was hoping they would leave A-B alone, but that's just wishful thinking, anytime there's a corportate takeover people get cut no matter what's said up front.

I imagine that eventually the Clydesdales will be replaced with Belgian weiner dogs or something similar - something that is smaller, eats less, and isn't associated with the USA. Kinda like they dumped all the US symbolism with their new logo.

[Terrapin Station]

Actually the US eagle logo will remain the same and the new logo will be outside the US (at least that's what is being said for now). I'm afraid the guillotine blade has been sharpened and is being rolled out into the town square as we speak. Good luck and prayers to all AB employees involved.