The commercial that became a phenomenon, Budweiser's "Whassup," was released in 1999 and quickly ubiquitous in everyday salutations. This, perhaps, is what every campaign sets out to achieve; to permeate culture so deeply that they lexicographically change the people's daily interactions with a catchphrase.
The idea for this commercial started, actually, from the real-life friends who directed, and stared in it. Budweiser marketing reps were inspired after seeing a short film called "True," which this group of men had created.
Because Budweiser wanted to be seen as an enjoyable beverage that a group of male friends could watch the game and joke with, they thought this particular film was a good vessel for them to convey that image. It was almost as though Budweiser had started an inside joke that the whole world was in on, we were all bros if we drank a Bud.
Like all good art, the commercial would go on to be copied, imitated, and parodied countless times. Most notably, "Scary Movie," a satirical horror film would parody it, thusly, ingraining it deeper into our culture.
Its simplicity is, as well, what makes it stand out. It would go on to be the archetype for what all beer commercials strive towards.
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