President Mason Unsure U Of I Beer Ad Deal Is Worth Flak

If she had it to do over again, University of Iowa President Sally Mason would likely not approve the university’s contract with Anheuser-Busch because of the backlash caused by the beer company deal.

“I’m not sure it’s worth the revenues we’re getting for our athletic department,” Mason said at a taping Friday for Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press.” “I probably would reconsider. More than likely not even do it.”

The U of I has been fighting its party school image for years and has tried to push the message of “safe, responsible, legal,” Mason said. That seemed to fit with Anheuser-Busch’s pitch for drinking responsibly. But recently the university’s Tigerhawk logo appeared on posters advertising drink specials at Iowa City bars — a move not approved by the university.

“We didn’t mean to send a mixed message,” Mason said. The posters have been removed, but the damage is already done, she said.