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Belgian-Brazilian brewer InBev has purchased St. Louis based Anheuser-Busch in a $52 billion takeover creating the world's largest brewer in St. Louis on July 14, 2008. The takeover from InBev began in May and concluded on July 13, 2008, after the Anheuser-Busch board of directors agreed on a $70 a share in cash. The new company will have net sales of $36 billion a year, offering consumers about 300 brands. InBev chief executive Carlos Brito, 48, is known for cutting costs, and will head the new company, called Anheuser-Busch InBev. Pictured is the Barley Cleaning House at the Anheuser-Busch World Headquarters in south St. Louis on July 14, 2008. (UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt)

ST. LOUIS, July 23 (UPI) -- Belgian beer giant InBev has targeted $500 million in operating cost cuts for its new U.S. franchise Anheuser-Busch, executive Carlos Brito said.

Anheuser-Busch had already set a target for cuts at $1 billion, USA Today reported.

The U.S. brewer agreed to a purchase offer from InBev of $52 billion on July 13. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Brito said that marketing, a trademark of the company, wouldn't be cut as long as it shows results.

"The first thing in brand marketing is not to change what's working," he told the newspaper.

Anheuser-Busch spent $1.47 billion on marketing in 2007 and its marketing budget may even increase, an industry analyst said.

"I think InBev gets the whole thing that they need to step up marketing to make Bud a global brand," said Benj Steinman, editor of Beer Marketer's Insights.