AirTran upset at Real Men of Genuis radio spot

One of the radio spots in Anheuser-Busch's "Real Men of Genius" campaign has upset the CEO at AirTran Airways.

AirTran Airways says it may stop serving Anheuser-Busch Cos. products on its flights to protest a radio ad for Bud Light that ridicules discount airlines and their pilots.

The ad, part of the "Real Men of Genius" campaign created by DDB Chicago, is a comic tribute to discount-airline pilots, commending them for their "minimal experience" and for putting "the fly in fly-by-night." It also questions the safety of low-fare carriers: "Sure we're concerned for our lives," the announcer says - "just not as concerned as saving nine bucks on a round-trip to Fort Myers."

Anheuser-Busch says it pulled the ad after one airing in January, but it has remained posted on an ad-industry Web site and recently made the rounds online among some pilot groups and airlines. It also has continued playing on Anheuser-Busch's phone system.