Bud Light Takes Over South Beach Hotel for Football's Big Week

Will Host Exclusive Events, Live Concert Performances and Sports Exhibitions

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Jan 27, 2010, 03:59 ET

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- For eleven days this winter the world's best-selling light beer is heating up South Beach and creating an exclusive football fan experience when it transforms Miami's Surfcomber Hotel into the Bud Light Hotel.

From Jan. 29 to Feb. 8, Bud Light is re-branding the entire Surfcomber property – everything from the towels and mints to the marquee atop the property – and has planned a full lineup of exclusive events, star-studded live concert performances and sports exhibitions making the Bud Light Hotel the place to be on South Beach.

"Pro football's culminating event is one of the biggest events on the American sports calendar," said Mike Sundet, senior director of Bud Light brands. "As the beer of good times, Bud Light saw an opportunity to offer adult football fans everywhere a VIP experience to the celebration, social scene and special events leading up to kickoff."

Bud Light provided adult consumers an opportunity to win a stay at the Bud Light Hotel by offering a register-to-win promotion on www.budlighthotel.com. The lucky winners will enjoy the hotel amenities, soak up some sun on the beach and gain access to many of the exclusive hotel events.

The eleven-day takeover is divided into three promotional waves allowing a greater number of consumers to experience the Bud Light Hotel. The highlights of each wave include:

Wave One (Jan. 29 – 31)

Following a Friday night kickoff reception, Bud Light serves up a beach volleyball exhibition on Saturday featuring AVP Tour stars Elaine Youngs, Sean Rosenthal, Sean Scott, John Hyden and others, followed later that night by a live performance by rap artist Flo Rida. On Sunday, Bud Light pitchman Jimmy Football will break out his favorite tailgate innovations for the Official Jimmy Football tailgate party.

Wave Two (Feb 1 – 4)

The second wave of guests check-in Monday night to relax poolside and enjoy cold Bud Light with new friends. On Tuesday, UFC's own Mike Goldberg hosts UFC stars like former World Champions Rich Franklin and Matt Hughes, The Ultimate Fighter Season Eight Champion Efrain Escudero and other rising superstars as they demonstrate training techniques and fighting styles in a mixed martial arts exhibition in the Octagon placed over the Bud Light Hotel pool. The following night, musical acts Uncle Kracker and DJ Skribble perform live at the Super Pool Party. Wave Two wraps up Thursday night with an invite-only event hosted by GQ Magazine.

Wave Three (Feb. 5 – 8)

Megastar Jamie Foxx starts the third wave off in style when the cast from his SIRIUS Satellite Radio show, "The Foxxhole," joins him poolside for a live remote broadcast. Later that night, R&B sensation Usher will whip the crowd into a frenzy when he takes the poolside stage. Jamie Foxx headlines Saturday night with his Foxx & Friends Bud Bowl party, featuring hot music and surprise celebrity guests. On Sunday, the Bud Light Hotel experience culminates with a pre- and post-game tailgate for the big game.

UStream

Those adult Bud Light fans not able to be in Miami can still be a part of the experience as Bud Light partners with UStream to stream live video from Bud Light Hotel events to the official Bud Light Facebook page. Users can watch the Flo Rida performance, UFC exhibition and check out the Super Pool Party from their personal computers and laptops.

Responsible Celebrating Initiatives

To help ensure partygoers who participate in the Bud Light Hotel festivities arrive home safely, Anheuser-Busch and its South Florida wholesalers, in partnership with AAA Auto Club South, will offer its Tow to Go program from Friday, Jan. 29 through Sunday, Feb. 7. Tow to Go provides patrons and their vehicles with a free ride – and tow – home if they've had too much to drink, and is available by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP. The program, endorsed by the Florida Highway Patrol, has provided more than 11,000 safe rides home to adults in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch