When a wine writer (non-LCBO staff) prepares a piece for LCBO publication are they always free to choose which products they recommend, or do they do this on the advice of LCBO personnel. If so, which LCBO personnel give the advice?
RESPONSE # 207122: Search & Preparation Time 1 hr @ $30.00 = $30.00.
FOI # 207122: THE ANSWER
The only LCBO publication that currently utilizes non-LCBO staff wine writers is Food & Drink. The products featured in Food & Drink must be available for sale at LCBO stores. LCBO Category Management (ie. Wines, Spirits, Beer & Special Markets, VINTAGES) contributes general product trend and industry information to the Food & Drink editorial planning process. for specific product stories, LCBO Category Management provides a list of all products that are available in the category for the assigned topic and that will be available in stores during the issue timeframe. This information is provided to the non-LCBO staff writer by the editor as part of the story assigning process. Any decisions regarding what products to feature or highlight are made solely by the writer."
(my thoughts in blue, and italics)
No comments at this time.
FOI # 207122: I received, for $30 plus the $5 initiation fee, a form letter and half a sheet of paper with the above answer. The response to # 207122 was made without any reference to who was making the statement (unsigned, and no name at the bottom). The form letter was signed by FOI official Sheetal Bedi.