Red White and Food, the nonprofit organization that supports allowing wine sales in Tennessee’s retail food stores, has launched a statewide paid media campaign 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 will run through Election Day on Nov. 4.
All television and radio spots can be found on Red White and Food’s YouTube channel.
“The ads serve two purposes,” said Susie Alcorn, Red White and Food campaign manager. “First, the ads create awareness that the question of whether to allow wine in retail food stores is now with the voters. Second, and importantly, we are asking people to vote for wine.
“We believe the script of the ads catches their attention and serves our purpose of making the general public more aware that there is one final step to make wine sales in retail food stores a reality,” she added. “Now is when voters must act.”
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.
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 over the 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 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.
