The Washington trade group for beer brewers has brought in former Senate communications staffer Chris Thorne as VP of communications, a new post.
Thorne |
The 44-year-old Thorne will handle the Beer Institute’s communications strategy for policymakers, the alcoholic beverage industry, media and other stakeholders.
Chlopak, Leonard Shechter & Associates handles PR for the group, which said it made the Thorne hire as it faces issues like the sluggish economy, impending tax and regulatory issues, and threats to the three-tier system of distribution.
Beer sales topped $98 billion in 2011 and the sector claims to impact 1.8M American jobs, but U.S. volume dropped in 2011 for the third straight year. The Institute points out that states often look to raise liquor taxes when revenues are tight.
Thorne recently directed public affairs for ethanol producer trade group Growth Energy and earlier was chief media and political strategist for Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.).
Thorne worked for Conrad’s communications operation for seven years, moving to the Hill after reporting for the Associated Press.