Allegations of box office fraud have surfaced in the Korean film industry, with major theater chains and distributors accused of colluding to inflate ticket sales for over 300 films in the past five years. The practices, which include "ghost screenings" and bulk-buying promotional tickets, were reportedly an "open secret" in the industry. The major multiplex companies are facing criticism for their market power, while some insiders argue that the current box office system and metrics contribute to the discrepancies. The Korean Film Council is under scrutiny for its oversight, and the industry is calling for greater transparency and a shift to revenue-based counting methods.
Anheuser-Busch is reportedly writing checks to distributors as sales of its flagship beer, Bud Light, continue to decline. The company has been struggling to keep up with changing consumer preferences, with many opting for craft beers and hard seltzers instead.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the parent company of Budweiser and Bud Light, is planning to invest funds in supporting distributors who handle the Bud Light brand to repair relationships and rebuild the brand after backlash over promotional efforts with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Bud Light sales have plummeted, with U.S. sales dropping 21.4% compared to a year ago. Anheuser-Busch is providing direct financial support to frontline teams and planning an advertising blitz this summer to generate additional sales. The controversy began when personalized cans of Bud Light were sent to social media influencers, including Mulvaney, during the March Madness basketball tournament.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the maker of Bud Light, is offering free beer and increased ad spending to its distributors after they faced backlash from a company promotion with a transgender influencer. The company has pledged to boost marketing spending on Bud Light, accelerate production of new ads, and give a case of Bud Light to every employee of an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler. This comes after U.S. retail-store sales of Bud Light fell 21% in the week ended April 22 compared to the year-earlier period.
