The New A-B

This past weekend, the St. Louis Bloggers Guild hosted their annual Interactive Festival at the Shock City Music studios in St. Louis city. Besides the Bloggers Guild and Shock City, one of the main sponsors was Anheuser-Busch. Now why would A-B sponsor a "small" event, like the Interactive Festival? Because it made sense and had little downside. Besides, "making friends is their business"! After being turned down by Miller, and with the other option of having to purchase beer from Schlafly Bottleworks, A-B stepped in at the last minute and provided plenty of their signature brew to help provide refreshment to the scores of attendees at this year's blogging forum. For a company as large as A-B, not every promotion has to be broadcast on TV to millions. While some bitter folks still grumble at the big changes that the company made last year, A-B still takes care of their hometown, as witnessed by this event and the recent donation to Fontbonne University. So say what you will about the decision to sell their theme parks. A-B is focused on making beer and making money in a global economy. You can't fault them for that. Oh, and if you want to buy their stock, you can once again buy "BUD" on the New York Stock Exchange! Today's close: $51.19 per share.