Controlling Board Approves Funds for Winery Digital Advertising

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Controlling Board this week approved funds to support the efforts of the Ohio Grape Industries Council to support the digital advertising efforts of Ohio's wineries, announced State Representatives Jamie Callender (R-Concord) and Sarah Fowler Arthur (R- Ashtabula). These funds, approved following a competitive bidding process conducted by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, will go towards a program to support Ohio wineries online advertising. Created in 1981, the Ohio Grape Industry Council was created by the Ohio General Assembly to promote Ohio's wine industry though marketing, research, and business support.

3rd Street Strategies was selected following proposals submitted by 5 digital marketing firms generated by a request for proposal sent to 9 firms. The $55,000 contract, funded through the Ohio Department of Agriculture, will provide Ohio's wine industry with industry digital ads, native mail, and email as well as a cost sharing program to allow wineries to purchase digital ads at a reduced rate.

"Sharing our unique agricultural story is critical to ensuring the continued success of Ohio's wine and grape industries," said Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. "As demand increases to produce more from ground to glass, we are committed to elevating our local winemakers and grape growers who contribute to Ohio's number one industry, food and agriculture."

Ohio's wine industry has grown rapidly over the past 13 years, quadrupling up to a total of 426 licensed wine manufacturers and 125 vineyard operations. Currently, it is estimated that Ohio's wine industry generates over $6.6 billion for Ohio's economy, supports 41,000 full time jobs, and produces 1.2 million gallons of wine per year. An estimated 2.2 million consumers visit Ohio wineries annually.

"The Ohio wine industry continues to grow and contribute significantly to our local economies, especially in rural locations, via job creation, by driving tourism dollars, through farmland-vineyard preservation efforts, and by enhancing the quality for life of our citizens," said Donniela Winchell, Executive Director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association. "We are most appreciative of Representatives Callander and Fowler Arthur for their continual commitment to help us grow and give back to the communities where we live and work."

Home to 43 wineries, Northeast Ohio has become a nationally and internationally recognized wine growing region with local wineries winning awards for red, white, and ice wines. Highlighted as part of the Ohio Wine Producers Association's Vines and Wines trail, Lake and Ashtabula Counties welcome thousands of people every year to enjoy locally produced wine and all that Northeast Ohio has to offer.

"Wineries across the region continue to grow their reputation as both wine producers and tourist destinations," said Callender. "Through their efforts, we have been able to add one more world class amenity to a region already rich in natural beauty, unmatched arts and cultural institutions, and recreational activities on land, sea, and air."

"Digital marketing will expand our local, regional and national footprint as our wine agritourism continues to attract large numbers of visitors to Northeast Ohio," said Fowler Arthur. "I'm excited that local producers will have the opportunity to showcase their products and venues through this new initiative."