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Full Court Internet Press

By: Loren Wassell | 06/12/2008

Belgian brewer InBev has created a new Internet site to communicate directly with several key audiences about its bid for Anheuser-Busch. The new site - www.globalbeerleader.com includes a 12-minute video interview with InBev CEO Carlos Brito and separate messages for A-B employees, distributors, consumers, communities and investors. InBev news releases about the bid also are being archived on the site and fact sheets are promised soon. The site tries to soothe some of the concerns raised by the potential takeover of Anheuser-Busch, an American icon whose prominence in its hometown of St. Louis cannot be overstated. For example:

• No U.S. Brewery Closures


• This combination is about growth and investment. InBev has tremendous resources at its disposal as the leading global brewer and would invest in Anheuser-Busch in the U.S.


• InBev would maintain all of Anheuser-Busch's existing
  U.S. breweries.


• InBev does not expect any significant job losses as a result of the proposed combination.


• InBev expects little or no impact on union jobs.


• As a result of growing the business, InBev has added 12,000 full-time positions since the merger in 2004 that formed the company.


• North American Headquarters and Global Home of Flagship Budweiser Brand to Remain in St. Louis

InBev has proposed to make St. Louis the headquarters for the North American region of the combined company and the global home of the flagship Budweiser brand. InBev understands how much Anheuser-Busch means to the U.S. and the St. Louis community. With 40 percent of the combined company's business based in the U.S., InBev believes it would be the only logical decision to stay in St. Louis and draw on the collective expertise of Anheuser-Busch's dedicated and experienced employees.

Meanwhile, opponents of the takeover have also taken to the Web. A Web site and online petition devoted to maintaining Anheuser-Busch's independence -- http://www.savebudweiser.com -- has collected more than 30,000 e-signatures. St. Louis and Missouri officials also are working to rally support. A-B says its board of directors will evaluate the proposal carefully in consultation with its financial and legal advisers and then pursue the course of action that's in the best interests of A-B stockholders.

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