Why We Haven't Reported on A-B's $17M Investment in Houston Brewery

To be blunt, Anheuser-Busch has problems in its p.r. shop. A-B announced the $17 million investment via a press release distributed far and wide via one of the major media release distribution services. You've probably read it on a number of sites. Typical was this from Secret Houston:

"In its press release, the company stated that the multi-million-dollar investment is intended to create and sustain jobs in local communities. Furthermore, the company aims to strengthen its place at the forefront of brewing and enhance its transportation services.

"The Anheuser-Busch Houston brewery initiative will build on the $50 million that the company has already put into its Houston brewery in the past three years. Beginning production in 1966, the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Houston is a cornerstone to the company according to the press release, and is one of the largest beer facilities in the state."

Nowhere in the release does it tell us what the $17 million will actually do – will it install a new high-speed bottling or canning line? Some new gizmo that will permit trucks to be loaded quicker? How will it create more jobs in Houston?

So we asked them. At the bottom of the release was a contact link: "CONTACT: media@anheuser-busch.com." We clicked that and sent an email with 'MEDIA INQUIRY:" in the subject line, and we asked the question we posed above – what, exactly are they doing in Houston – new packaging line, new brewing kettles, or what?

This is the reply we got:

"ABI_CORE_B2c <customerrelationshipgroup> Jun 18, 2025 8:55 AM"

Exactly how "MEDIA INQUIRY:" becomes we're "a potential business partner" is beyond me. But in any case, this is a particularly egregious example of something we see more often that we like to admit: a "contact" that isn't a contact.

Timeliness is the art and essence of journalism. When a reporter needs to reach someone in a company, he usually needs that person quickly. Deadlines have to be met.

More often, it's an actual person's name, phone number and e-mail, but when we reach out to them for more information, they are on vacation, training or a business trip — and they don't provide someone else to reach out to.

PR Professionals should know that when they put "Contact" on a release, some member of the media is likely to actually try to contact them, and they – or someone – should be available for questions the entire day (including after business hours) the release is released and perhaps the day after.