AUBURN, Ala. – It couldn’t be more fitting than for an Auburn University graduate’s company to be the first recipient of the Business Council of Alabama and Auburn IMG Sports Marketing’s “Small Business Game Changer” award presented Saturday in front of nearly 50,000 people at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Back Forty Beer Co. in Gadsden is the first recipient of the inaugural “Small Business Game Changer” award by the BCA and Auburn IMG, Auburn University Athletics’ multimedia rights holder.
The presentation at the end of the first quarter of the Auburn spring “A Day” football game included Back Forty Beer Co. founder and President Jason Wilson, a 2005 Auburn University graduate, BCA Chairman Tommy Lee, an Auburn graduate and president and CEO of Vulcan Inc. in Foley, BCA President and CEO William J. Canary, Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama President and CEO Jeremy Arthur, and Auburn IMG Sports representatives.
“Winning the BCA’s Small Business Game Changer Competition will have a profound impact on the future of Back Forty Beer Co.” Wilson said.
The BCA aligned with Auburn IMG Sports Marketing to create “Small Business Game Changer.” It’s a valuable opportunity for a state-based business with 50 or fewer employees to gain significant exposure among a passionate and loyal Auburn Tigers’ fan base.
“The ‘Small Business Game Changer’ partnership with Auburn Athletics will benefit Back Forty Beer Company and also highlight Alabama small businesses that are crucial to the state’s economic fabric,” Lee said.
“A corporate partnership with Auburn Athletics will be a game-changer for Back Forty Beer Co. and is just another way the BCA provides small businesses the recognition they deserve,” Canary said.
The “Small Business Game Changer” opportunity was announced last year. To enter, small businesses in 150 words or less told why a 2016 Auburn football sponsorship would be a “Small Business Game Changer” for them.
The Auburn University football corporate sponsorship includes game tickets and exposure through the game day publications and radio.
The presentation included the Game Changer logo and the Back Forty Beer Co. logo on a background of Jordan-Hare stadium.
“It’s a great day, we’re very excited to partner with them,” said IMG’s Caleb Swann. “It’s good for small businesses and the state of Alabama.”
“Small Business Game Changer” was open only to small businesses located in the state of Alabama that are BCA members in good standing. Further eligibility restrictions applied.