NEW YORK — Budweiser today announced the bold next step in its Give A Damn campaign, together with safe ride partner Lyft. Given the success of last year’s pilot program — during which Budweiser delivered more than 35,000 safe rides home across six states plus Washington, D.C. — the brand will expand the 2017 campaign to offer 150,000 round-trip rides across nine states plus Washington, D.C., to help people get to and from their nights out.
The largest-ever safe rides effort from a beer company, Give A Damn aims to make a strong statement against drunk driving and celebrate people who embrace Budweiser’s responsible drinking message: “Give A Damn. Don’t Drive Drunk.” Throughout the 15-week campaign, Budweiser and Lyft will offer 10,000 round-trip rides every weekend and on select holidays, when people need them most.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Lyft to implement evidence-based solutions that can have a real impact on reducing drunk driving,” said Katja Zastrow,vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility & Better World, Anheuser-Busch.“Making it home safe at the end of the night starts with getting a ride at the beginning of the night, so we want to encourage people to plan ahead.”
Beginning Thursday, Sept. 21, through the end of the year, Budweiser will provide up to10,000 round-trip rides every weekend across nine states: New York, Colorado, Illinois,Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas, Georgia; plus Washington, D.C.Budweiser will share a unique ride code on its Facebook and Instagram channels eachThursday at 2 p.m. ET, which new and existing Lyft users over the age of 21 can use to claim a $20 ride credit (two $10 one-way rides) through the Lyft app. The credits can be redeemed for rides taken between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. local time that Thursday, Friday orSaturday night.
“We are thrilled to work with Budweiser, a brand that shares our commitment to helping people drink responsibly and get home safe,” said Melissa Waters, vice president of marketing, Lyft. “This partnership encourages passengers to make the right choice about how they get home and celebrates the drivers who make it possible.”
To further promote the campaign’s responsible drinking message, Budweiser has released a new video spot, titled “Give A Damn,” to celebrate its partnership with Lyft and recognize the people who plan ahead to get safely to and from their night out. This ad will live on Budweiser’s social media channels through the end of the year.
For more information about how to participate, check out Budweiser on Facebook and Instagram, and look out for new safe ride codes every Thursday at 2 p.m. ET.
ABOUT BUDWEISER
Budweiser, an American-style lager, was introduced in 1876 when company founder Adolphus Busch set out to create the United States’ first truly national beer brand –brewed to be universally popular and transcend regional tastes. Each batch of Budweiser stays true to the same family recipe used by five generations of Busch family brewmasters. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp and pure beer with blended layers of premium American and European hop aromas, brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment. Budweiser is made using time-honored methods including “kraeusening” for natural carbonation and Beechwood aging, which results in unparalleled balance and character.
ABOUT LYFT
Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to reconnect people and communities through better transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S. and is available in more than 200 cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to affecting positive change for the future of our cities.