Brito: “We’re Not Shy About Marketing Investment”

That's what an ebullient Carlos Brito told investors yesterday as A-B InBev posts an impressive first quarter despite managing high debt loads, massive cost cutting, and a big transition at A-B. Total global AB InBev first quarter beer volumes inched up 0.5%, led by a 3.5% increase in their Focus Brands with "strong performances" from Brahma, Skol, Bud Light, and Harbin. Profits soared, up 26% to $2.8 billion, with half of that coming from North America. Operating expenses actually declined