• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, April 20, 2020

Anheuser-Busch InBev beer brand Stella Artois has launched a campaign from agency Gut to help promote the brand’s new program to support local bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Through a gift-card matching program, SA has raised more than $2.5 million in 3 weeks for local businesses in 10 markets in the Americas and Europe. 

The ad campaign encourages people to stay positive and think about the day when the COVID-19 crisis eases and local establishments will able to open their doors for business again. It features a montage of video clips from the Depression-era to the present and challenging times in between to suggest that the current crisis will also pass. 

“If we know something at Stella Artois, as a brand with more than 600 years of beer tradition in the world, it is that there is always an after,” said Juan Giovaneli, Stella Artois brand director for Argentina. “That is why we want to help to all those who always gave us a place to meet and connect. It is time to be united and help each other to overcome this crisis as best as possible.” 

The campaign is currently running in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Peru and France. 

Sample the work here.