Czech lager brand Budweiser Budvar has unveiled its UK-wide marketing campaign to help drive increased awareness of the brand across the nation.
Launched across OOH and social media, the campaign shines a spotlight on what makes Budweiser Budvar truly unique, despite sharing its name with the well-known American beer.
From promoting the use of premium local ingredients – including Saaz hops and Moravian malt – through to its time-honoured brewing techniques that are key to creating bolder, deeper flavours, Budvar is keen to ensure beer drinkers make no mistake that its lager is a Czech original.
To bring its campaign to life, the independent-owned brand will be taking over the streets with big, bold billboards that draw dramatic distinctions between the authentic Czech lager and its American namesake. Meanwhile, on social media, Budvar will be busy engaging with lager enthusiasts who are thirsty for knowledge through a mixture of fun facts, quirky quizzes, interactivity and insight.
To further emphasise the brand’s unmistakable Czech heritage, Budvar is also launching a PR campaign titled Unmistakably Us (Not U.S.) to champion those who in a twist of fate – or parental oversight – have ended up living their lives with a super famous name.
As part of this, Budvar has teamed up with three people from across the UK who share their name with an American celebrity. They include Michael Jordan from Hertfordshire, Julia Roberts from Bedfordshire, and Dwayne Johnson from Glasgow. In a candid-style interview with reality TV star and former Love Island winner, Kem Cetinay, each namesake reveals how their unusual name has impacted their home, work, love, and social lives.
In addition, keen to discover other famous namesakes living under the radar, Budvar has set up a national hotline, encouraging people to call in and share what it’s really like to be the UK’s Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, or Tom Cruise for their chance to win a free crate of Budvar (T&Cs apply). To call the hotline, please dial 0758 101 3856 (calls will be charged at your standard network rate).
Elsewhere, several tap rooms across the country will be hosting ‘Namesakes’ Nights’, a social meetup for people who share their name with a celebrity to enjoy a free pint of Budvar (T&Cs apply) while bonding over their ‘mistaken identity experiences’.
Anyone who shares their mistaken identity stories either via the hotline or the Namesakes’ Night have the chance to be inducted into the Budvar Hall of Name digital gallery, which will feature on the brand’s website and social media. They will also get exclusive access to a new social profile prefix (Unmistakably) pioneered by Budvar to ensure no wires get crossed ever again.
Throwing her support behind the campaign, psychologist Dr Jane McCartney comments: “Sharing your name with someone in the public eye can have its frustrations, such as having to explain when someone asks you for the hundredth time that you are not actually related to the well-known person. But despite its challenges, it is also a unique experience, as blending your own personal identity with a touch of celebrity recognition can be fun. The recognition and attention that come from this connection can positively impact how you perceive yourself in social interactions, making you feel more significant or memorable."
Claire Sharpe, UK marketing manager at Budvar, added: “A lot of craft goes into perfecting our beer and providing drinkers with a great quality experience. To reinforce this, we’re launching a multi-dimensional campaign to remind beer drinkers everywhere that we are individual, we are unique, and we are unmistakably Czech.
“This is a really exciting time for the brand, with lots of activity taking shape across our social media channels, OOH, and video. The team has already been working hard behind the scenes to bring the campaign to life, with the help of our namesakes, Michael Jordan, Julia Roberts, and Dwayne Johnson. We can’t wait to see what other interesting stories we uncover through the campaign.”
Independently owned by the people of Czech Republic, Budvar is made using the finest local ingredients and brewed to perfection in Budweis to create a bolder, deeper flavour.
