Spuds MacKenzie finds new life as the spokesdog for a hemp-infused dog treat line.

License Global

January 23, 2020

1 Min Read

The ‘90s Budweiser spokesdog Spuds MacKenzie is back for a hemp-infused dog treat line from Spuds Ventures.

Spuds MacKenzie was a fictional dog character created for use in ads marketing Bud Light beer in the early ‘90s. At the time of the ads, Bud Light maker, Anheuser-Busch InBev, took heat for the character because advocates argued the dog was promoting alcohol to children.

The new version of Spuds is removed from the work of Anheuser-Busch InBev and Bud Light. Spuds Ventures’ version of the fictional pooch was adopted in 2019 from the Anti-Cruelty Society by the owner of the brand, Mark Thomann. Similar in name only, the dog is used to promote hemp-infused treats aimed at calming anxious pooches.

“I can’t say that I was much of a Bud Light drinker, but I certainly was a fan of Spuds,” says Thomann, in an interview with AdAge.

Spuds Ventures currently holds the trademark registrations for Spuds MacKenzie when it comes to various pet products. Anheuser-Busch holds the registrations for use in bars, beer gardens, pubs, restaurants, and taprooms, as well as on shirts, baseball caps and pajamas.

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License Global

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