Red White and Food, the nonprofit organization that supports allowing wine sales in Tennessee’s retail food stores, launched a statewide paid media campaign today to encourage supporters to vote for wine on Nov. 4.
Red White and Food’s statewide campaign includes television, radio and digital advertisements featuring volunteer talent; no professional actors were hired. The advertisements began running today and will end on Election Day, Nov. 4.
All television and radio spots can be found on Red White and Food’s YouTube channel.
“We want to make sure Tennesseans understand that the campaign did not end with the closure of the petition drive. It is imperative that our supporters go to the polls and vote for wine,” said Susie Alcorn, Red White and Food campaign manager. “We’re hoping these advertisements will help educate our supporters and encourage them to vote for wine.”
In addition to paid media, Alcorn expects the campaign to use a variety of tactics to reach wine supporters, including in-store displays and special events. Volunteers are needed, and anyone wishing to help can contact the campaign at volunteer@redwhiteandfood.com.
The wine in retail food stores referendum will appear on the ballot in 78 qualifying municipalities across Tennessee. Enough valid signatures were collected in those communities and certified by the local election commissions this summer to authorize these local referendums.
Red White and Food encourages voters to read the Nov. 4 ballot in its entirety, as the wine question appears near the end of the ballot.
Legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in March of this year was a compromise between retail food stores and liquor stores. Many liquor stores across the state are now selling beer and party supplies as allowed by the new law. In communities where the wine referendum passes, retail food stores will be able to sell wine beginning July 1, 2016.