CASE STUDY 02
Golden Word for Hardywood
Managing & Amplifying Growth
When we started work with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, their challenge was not in creating interest but in managing it.
With the brewery growing rapidly, co-founders Eric McKay and Patrick Murtaugh had an ambitious vision but limited bandwidth to attend to a full PR program. We stepped in to direct local interest, create a halo of national attention and serve as advisors on their marketing team.
WALL STREET JOURNAL
Starting Together
Hardywood’s story played a big part in ours. Before founding Golden Word, we placed Hardywood in two back-to-back Wall Street Journal stories. This gave rise to our vision not only for how we could help them, but also for the agency we wanted to start.
WINE ENTHUSIAST
The Product Is Everything
To secure quality press, we need a quality product, and Hardywood’s beer is world-class. Hardywood was already scoring high with BeerAdvocate, so we submitted samples to countless publications, almost always coming out on top and winning legions of fans.
FOOD & WINE, FORBES
Telling Your Story
More than focusing on beer ratings, we wanted people to understand the soul of the brand and the craftsmanship behind the product. For us, this comes back to telling the story. Hardywood’s Gingerbread Stout is the stuff of legends, which we got Food & Wine to showcase with a sprawling feature, but one of many secured over the years.
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Local Matters
When Hardywood opened a massive new destination brewery, we first needed locals to make this their new stomping ground, before even contemplating national. We secured significant local press coverage and coordinated special first access for area corporations, ensuring a steady flow of regular business.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
"Whether interviewing with a local reporter, or traveling to New York City for meetings with the most influential journalists in our industry, Golden Word makes sharing our story low-stress and fun. Elisabeth is exceptionally talented at establishing relationships and forging opportunities with heavy-hitting media outlets, and her team is committed to delivering meaningful results in a professional manner."
ERIC MCKAY & PATRICK MURTAUGH
HARDYWOOD CO-FOUNDERS
GARDEN & GUN
Aiming High
We love a challenge. Hardywood had a particular desire for coverage in Garden & Gun. We seeded beer with the magazine’s team and visited their offices to share the story firsthand. As a result, Garden & Gun slated Hardywood in their Southern Craft Brewery Bracket, and we rallied their team and press to bring home the win! As testament to the relationship, Garden & Gun invited Hardywood to pour beer at their annual Made In The South Awards events.
WSJ, FORBES & MEN'S HEALTH
Launching Strong
When the Hardywood cofounders launched offshoot beer brand Suncrush, we were ready. We swept local press with the news, then quickly moved to seed with national writers - in person. Our NYC media tour resulted in multiple national stories, creating a halo effect of buzz and demand for the new line.
