OVERVIEW

The Massachusetts Brewers Guild (“MBG”) promotes craft brewing and protects the interests of more than 200 craft brewers in the Commonwealth. We have worked with MBG since 2014, developing and executing strategic advocacy campaigns in support of their legislative interests.

OUR STRATEGY

To reform the Commonwealth’s franchise laws in support of the MBG’s position, we crafted messaging and advocated statewide using traditional lobbying, targeted media placements, local events, and organic and paid social media outreach and advertising. We introduced the issue to high profile columnists, editorial boards and trade publications. We brought together craft brewers for lobby days and meetings with Beacon Hill’s legislative and executive leadership. Parallel to these efforts, we employed a grassroots and online campaign to generate awareness and support among consumers. And through a series of regional brewer events across the state, we educated and activated local business owners.

OUR RESULTS

Since early summer 2017, we gathered and delivered 27,487 petition signatures to Senate and House legislative offices. We secured two editorial endorsements in The Boston Globe, several features in Boston Business Journal and Boston Magazine, and coverage in numerous regional, trade and political publications. Ultimately, our campaign produced significant support in the State House, leading to successful negotiations to reach an equitable solution on franchise law. In the 2019/2020 legislative session, the compromise legislation was passed by both the House and the Senate and after a decades-long battle, was signed into law by the Governor.