Bud Light Combines Soccer And Education To Celebrate The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™

ST. LOUIS, June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bud Light is donating a university scholarship to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF,) the nation's largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, for each goal scored during the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ up to $250,000. The company will also celebrate soccer passions in the United States with a spectacular FIFA World Cup™ viewing party infused with all the energy and enthusiasm of Brazil during Carnival.  Budweiser remains the official beer of the FIFA World Cup™, but this marks the first time that Bud Light has been named an official partner of the global soccer tournament.

The donation is the latest example of Anheuser-Busch's longtime support of the Hispanic community. The company began supporting HSF in 1982 and has awarded more than $25 million – and 20,000 scholarships – to date.

"This year's scholarship application cycle was more competitive than ever. The winners represent the best and the brightest from an amazing pool of talent," said Fidel A. Vargas, President & CEO, Hispanic Scholarship Fund.  "With Anheuser-Busch as a hands-on partner, we can look forward to increasing the number of scholarships we are able to offer qualified applicants, and the number of related services we provide to college-bound Latino students and their families."

As part of Bud Light's #UpForWhatever marketing efforts, a fully integrated Spanish-language campaign has been developed around Bud Light's sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup™.  The campaign will include TV, print, outdoor, interactive and point-of-sale elements. A national sweepstakes will give consumers the opportunity to attend a World Cup Finals Bud Light VIP Party in Las Vegas. To enter, U.S. consumers 21 years of age and older can text the word "BudLight" to 23377.

"Integrating our sponsorship with education is at the core of our company values – it's a winning recipe for Latinos that aspire to hold a university degree," said Miguel Nigrinis, Sr. Brand Manager for Bud Light. "Soccer fans also have an opportunity to be winners through a unique sweepstakes program that brings them closer to the action and their favorite team."

Anheuser-Busch has been a FIFA World Cup partner since 1986. The 2014 FIFA World Cup™ is the company's eighth consecutive tournament as a major event sponsor, underscoring the brand's commitment to soccer. Budweiser also is an official sponsor of Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men's National Team, while Bud Light serves as the official beer sponsor of the Mexican National Team.

For more information, visit Bud Light on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BudLight

Bud Light® / FIFA™ World Cup Sweepstakes.  No Purchase Necessary.  Open to US residents 21+.  Ends 6/28/14.  Multiple entry periods.  To enter, text "BUDLIGHT" to shortcode 23377; or, visit www.budlight.com/Brazil2014.  See Official Rules at www.budlight.com/Brazil2014 for entry deadlines, prizes and details.  Text and message rates may apply.  Void where prohibited.

About Bud Light
Introduced in 1982, Bud Light is a premium light lager with a superior drinkability that has made it the best-selling and most popular beer in the United States.  Bud Light is brewed using a blend of premium aroma hop varieties, both American-grown and imported, and a combination of barley malts and rice.  The light-bodied beer features a fresh, clean and subtle hop aroma, delicate malt sweetness and a crisp finish that delivers the ultimate refreshment.  For more information, visit www.BudLight.com.

About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Latino students, as well as related support services.  HSF seeks to give students all the tools they need to apply to college, do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come.  As the nation's largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, the Fund has awarded over $430 million in scholarships and provides a range of ancillary programs for students, HSF Scholars, and their families. HSF further strives to make college education a top priority for every Latino family across the nation, mobilizing our community to proactively advance that goal – each individual, over a lifetime, in every way he/she can.  For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: HSF.net

Media Contact:
Nick Kelly, Anheuser-Busch
(314) 765-4580
[email protected]

Michael Delgado, Bud Light Latino
(661) 505-5545
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140617/119114

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140617/119113

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140617/119112

SOURCE Bud Light