Union Shakedown Over Budweiser Hockey Ad

The Toronto branch of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) has issued a complaint with potential financial ramifications against Budweiser Canada over an experimental ad in which two Ontario recreational hockey teams are surprised with an arena full of ThunderStick-toting, stomach-painted fans for a random night game. ACTRA’s complaint is that the hockey players and spectators, since featured in the ad, should be compensated as official talent with union-negotiated wages. This is a typical shakedown tactic unions use to target reality shows and documentaries.