Since its inception, business at Watershed Tavern and Boothbay Craft Brewery on Adams Pond Road has been booming. Now, a new national ad campaign is likely to add even more interest in the local brewery, tavern and resort.

A couple of months ago, while online paying bills, Boothbay Craft Brewery owners Win and Lori Mitchell noticed an intriguing invitation to Time Warner Cable Business Class customers. Time Warner asked business owners to write their business story for a chance to be showcased in a national ad campaign. The Mitchells couldn’t resist the opportunity to shed more light on their thriving business and on the local community.

Out of 179 entries and after numerous phone interviews, team Boothbay Craft Brewery and Tavern earned that opportunity.

When asked what attracted Time Warner’s attention, Win said: “The Time Warner marketing crew told us that out of all the entries, our story stood right out by being a community oriented, family run, small business that has many facets to it. We are a small manufacturer, a restaurant and offer lodging. Not only do all parts of our business rely on some type of Time Warner service, we also offer our customers free Wi-Fi and TV service.

“Add all of that to the fact we are located in such a beautiful, yet somewhat remote location, and we had offered just the story they wanted to share."

A film crew, including a Time Warner marketing team from Los Angeles, a production crew from New York City, and Boston area lighting and sound experts, arrived on Oct. 7 to conduct two very long days of intense interview and filming at the brewery and tavern. Filming and interviews started each day at 6:30 a.m. and went into the evening.

"All the footage they created will also be ours to use however we choose,” said Win. 

Lori and Win’s son, Cody, who is a videographer, quickly went from being the assistant brewer to being film crew production assistant. Cody’s drone footage of the business and surrounding region may very well end up in the final ad.

Lori and Win sent a out a casting call to some of the tavern’s most loyal customers, who all enjoyed tavern fare, plus a moment of national limelight, in a bustling, yet unusually well lit tavern. Win said many tavern customers were chosen to be filmed directly taking advantage of Wi-Fi to conduct business or surf the online tavern menu for effect.

The ad campaign will consist of 30, 60, and 90-second TV spots aired in markets across the nation, including all of New England, New York, Ohio, Los Angeles, Texas, and the Carolinas, as well as print ads in popular magazines, and a broad online campaign.

“We were told, even warned, that previous businesses that were chosen for this campaign saw a very big response. And our story of community, coastal Maine, and great craft beer and food was an exciting trio that can only help expose our business and region,” said Lori. 

Civilian Studios Director/Producer Diane Paragas said the hospitality of the Mitchells, as well as the whole Boothbay region, has been the best experience they have ever had doing these projects. In appreciation, her company is creating a commercial just for the brewery and tavern to use as they wish.

Post production has already begun. Because of the production crew’s excitement about how well this business showcased, Time Warner hopes to start airing the Watershed Tavern/Boothbay Craft Brewery ads before the Christmas holiday.