Crawford Strategies has served as the communications consultant for the Massachusetts Production Coalition, an alliance of local film industry businesses and labor unions that represent the film, TV, and media production industry in Massachusetts, since 2013.

Massachusetts’ thriving film industry was essentially nonexistent prior to 2007, when the state’s film tax credit was expanded. Aided by the tax credit, more than 230 major motion pictures, critically acclaimed independent films, and episodic streaming/TV series (including American Hustle, Manchester by the Sea, Grown Ups, Joy, Central Intelligence, Live by Night, Ghostbusters, The Society, Castle Rock, and Defending Jacob) have shot in Massachusetts over the last 14 years.

Thousands of Massachusetts residents now work directly or indirectly in the film production industry. Hundreds of businesses have sprouted up to provide high tech post-production services, era-appropriate household items for sets, upscale portable bathrooms for the stars, makeup, lighting, and more.

An annual report on the cost of the tax credit is required as part of the 2007 law. Armed with this flawed report, politicians try to repeal the tax nearly every legislative session.

In 2013, with a coordinated attempt to repeal the film tax credit under way, Crawford Strategies was hired by the Massachusetts Production Coalition, and we urged them to abandon their past strategy of contesting the poor methodology and inaccuracies of the state’s report. Instead, we put forward the workers and business owners who have created a livelihood for themselves in the film industry, highlighting the film industry’s impact on local economies across the state.

Both Governor Deval Patrick and Governor Charlie Baker tried unsuccessfully to amend or eliminate the film tax credit. By focusing on the families and businesses in the almost 200 communities that have hosted production crews since the credit was expanded, we repeatedly turned back their attempts.

After years of defending against these attacks, the campaign to save Massachusetts film jobs went into offensive mode due to the incentive program’s scheduled expiration at the end of 2022. During the 2020-2021 legislative session, Crawford Strategies worked with the Massachusetts Production Coalition to win a permanent extension of the state’s film production incentive program while maintaining the competitiveness of the program to keep and grow jobs here in Massachusetts. Our communications strategy ensured that film workers and small business owners were at the center of news coverage of the debate, not flawed state reports.

Boston Globe, Baker’s plan to end tax credits could threaten film jobs

Salem News, North Shore film industry fights Gov. Charlie Baker’s plan to scrap Hollywood tax credit

Boston Globe, Lobbying beats back Baker’s effort to kill film tax credit

Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, Film industry defends tax credits in Mass.

Melrose Free Press, Film industry sector knocks ‘uncertainty’ over tax credit in Mass.

Gloucester Times, Film industry proactively lobbying to protect tax credits