AB InBev vs Constellation Brands

Michelob Ultra Launches Multi-Channel Knicks Championship Celebration Campaign

Michelob Ultra is launching a comprehensive multi-channel campaign across New York City's five boroughs to celebrate the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA championship. The campaign includes limited-edition bottle openers containing pieces of the NBA Finals court, distributed through select bartenders, with fan giveaways starting October 19 via the Superior Access platform. A new film, 'Beer of Champions,' created by Wieden + Kennedy, will debut on NBC during the Knicks' opening game on October 20. Limited-edition cans and aluminum bottles featuring the team logo and championship trophy are available. Out-of-home placements will appear around Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, and Times Square. The campaign builds on Michelob Ultra's role as the NBA's official global beer partner, complementing league-wide efforts including court ad placements for the Emirates NBA Cup.

• Michelob Ultra launches a multi-channel campaign celebrating the Knicks' 2026 NBA championship across New York's five boroughs.
• Limited-edition bottle openers containing pieces of the NBA Finals court are given to select bartenders.
• Fan giveaways for the bottle openers begin October 19 via Michelob Ultra's Superior Access platform.

Stella Artois Partners With The Gentlemen for New Spot

Stella Artois has launched a campaign tied to season 2 of Netflix's The Gentlemen featuring a 90-second cinematic spot starring Theo James with a cameo from David Beckham. The creative centers on the brand's 'There’s Power in the Pour' pouring ritual and includes five 15-second vignettes, social content on Netflix and Stella Artois channels, and an experiential activation at The Marlborough Pub in London from September 3–5 offering limited-edition personalized chalices. AB InBev’s global CMO Marcel Marcondes and actor Theo James provided commentary on the authenticity of the partnership.

• Stella Artois launched a campaign tied to season 2 of Netflix's The Gentlemen that includes a 90-second cinematic spot starring Theo James and a cameo from David Beckham.
• The campaign includes five 15-second vignettes, each dedicated to one of the five steps in the Stella Artois pouring ritual.
• The campaign will run on Netflix across eight markets: US, UK, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea, plus custom social content on Netflix and Stella Artois channels.

AB InBev Shows B2B: Build Growth Through Creativity

An opinion piece argues that most B2B growth is bought via acquisitions, while the most effective marketers build growth by making creativity an organizational capability. Using AB InBev as a case study, the article describes how the company shifted from acquisition-driven expansion to systematizing creative standards and training marketers, producing major gains in creative awards (Cannes Lions), effectiveness (Effie Index), brand value (Kantar BrandZ) and organic revenue. The piece recommends that B2B organisations adopt shared definitions of creative quality—citing the launch of The True B2B Creative Scale—and warns that generative AI will make consistent, scalable judgment on creativity more important.

• In the US, add-on acquisitions account for roughly three-quarters of private equity buyout activity (per the article).
• AB InBev acquired Anheuser-Busch for about $52 billion and SABMiller for more than $10 billion (historical acquisitions mentioned).
• Prior to 2021 AB InBev had won fewer than 50 Cannes Lions; since then it has won more than 200 and been named Cannes Lions Creative Marketer of the Year three times in five years.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Constellation Brands (2026-10-07)

Constellation Brands reported its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2027 (period ended August 31, 2026), posting net sales of $2.63 billion, up 6% year-over-year from $2.48 billion in Q2 FY 2026. Consolidated net income attributable to CBI rose 21% to $565.8 million, while operating income fell 8% to $805.0 million, impacted by $49.8 million in asset impairments primarily tied to the planned divestiture of Nelson's Green Brier, increased marketing investments, and higher compensation accruals. Growth was primarily driven by the Beer segment, which saw net sales rise 5% to $2.47 billion on 5.5% shipment volume expansion, supported by lower aluminum tariffs and cost optimization from the 2025 Restructuring Initiative.

• Q2 FY 2027 net sales reached $2,633.0 million (+6% YoY), driven by a 5.5% shipment volume growth in the Beer segment ($2,473.6 million) and a 15.4% increase in Wine & Spirits shipments ($159.4 million).
• Net income attributable to CBI increased by 21% to $565.8 million ($3.32 diluted EPS), supported by an effective tax rate decrease to 20.2% compared to 37.9% in the prior-year period.
• Recognized $49.8 million in asset impairment charges in Q2 FY 2027 related to writing down the carrying value of the Nelson's Green Brier business held for sale to its estimated fair value of $5.0 million.

Constellation Brands Second Quarter Fiscal 2027 Earnings Recap

New story added: Constellation Brands Second Quarter Fiscal 2027 Earnings Recap (October 06, 2026).

Building Brands That People Love: Ruffino

New story added to Constellation Brands' Stories page: 'Building Brands That People Love: Ruffino' dated September 17, 2026.