Alcohol industry 101: Understanding the major players

The alcohol industry has traditionally been comprised of three sectors: beer, wine, and distilled spirits. But in recent years, consolidation has resulted in more products being owned by fewer companies, some of which own brands in all three sectors. These multi-national corporations are powerful for their economic and global scope. Similarly, the industry trade organizations and wholesale distributors wield significant political influence in the halls of Congress and state legislatures across the nation. In this presentation, the Marin Institute will present the results of its 2007 industry overview, which includes mapping brand ownership, as well as data regarding corporate profits, annual advertising expenditures, and political campaign contributions. Understanding who the major players are, which brands they own, and how they operate is key to developing effective alcohol advocacy strategies.