(Source: Business Wire)
Brown-Forman (NYSE:BFB) (NYSE:BFA) announced today the launch of its wide-ranging online Issues Forum, called Our Thinking About Drinking (http://www.ourthinkingaboutdrinking.com), as part of its comprehensive corporate responsibility initiative. "The Our Thinking About Drinking Issues Forum is a robust online resource where one can find a balanced body of research and learn about important alcohol-related issues," said Jim Bareuther, executive vice president global business development.
With the Issues Forum, Brown-Forman has gone on record to share the company's positions on significant issues being discussed by a broad and varied range of stakeholders, including individuals, families, local communities, researchers, and legislative bodies and policy organizations around the world. Perhaps most importantly, the Issues Forum encourages others to post their thoughtful comments on the Web site, whether they agree or disagree with Brown-Forman's point of view.
Bareuther said that Brown-Forman believes the Our Thinking About Drinking Issues Forum is an important foundation and next step in the company's leadership in responsibility-focused efforts.
"Deciding to be transparent about the company's positions requires us to seek balanced information, feedback, and insights on an ongoing basis -- a practice that we hope will help inform our employees, business partners, and other stakeholders," stated Bareuther. "It is an opportunity for us -- and for all interested parties -- to contribute to the ongoing dialogue and discussion about the role of alcohol in society and how to curtail abuse and promote responsible consumption."
Initially, the Our Thinking About Drinking Issues Forum covers five important categories for responsible alcohol consumption:
Youth & Alcohol
Drinking & Driving
Alcohol & Health
Overconsumption
Marketing & Access
Under each of these categories, there is a summary of research, policy considerations, and Brown-Forman's position on various issues, including drunk driving, alcohol and pregnancy, legal drinking age, and binge drinking, among others.
The Issues Forum also invites experts to share their insights, research, and opinions on these topics. Marcus Grant, President of the International Center for Alcohol Policies, Betsy Thom, a professor at Middlesex University in the United Kingdom, and Dr. Curtis Ellison, of the Boston University School of Medicine, already have contributed their thoughts on the site. Brown-Forman expects to add more opinions as the site develops.
