BrewDog re-invents the AGM
BrewDog re-invents the AGM with beer tastings and mosh pits for investors
Our AGM was for thousands of new investors found through the revolutionary Equity for Punks scheme.
On Saturday April 28th we held our rock 'n roll AGM for our community of investors, which combined the usual business reports with craft beer tastings, rock bands, interactive brewing and burgers. In January this year, we closed our unique share scheme, dubbed Equity For Punks, after reaching £2.2m investment by over 7,000 beer fans. The ‘Punk AGM’ was organised to thank this army of investors and celebrate our 5th Birthday.
AGMs are usually full of suits, powerpoint presentations and bad coffee, but we’re not Barclays Bank – we want to do things our own way. The 2012 Punk AGM gave our new Equity for Punks shareholders an insight into the business and how we’re progressing, but it also gave them a chance to celebrate their investment and feel part of the craft beer revolution.
Over 2,000 investors from around the world travelled to Aberdeen on Saturday, with the celebration being held in the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. The day included a presentation and open question and answer sessions with co-founders James Watt and Martin Dickie, where all 2000 attendees also took part in a beer tasting of exclusive beers brewed just for the event. The evening more resembled a rock festival than a business meeting, with sets from Tommy Reilly, The Little Kicks, Bombskare and Kassidy, and BBC Radio 1’s Ally McCrae as compere.
BrewDog also used its vast social media community to keep those who couldn't attend informed of progress, and the AGM even became a twitter trend in Scotland as investors used the #PunkAGM hashtag on Twitter and Facebook.
Glasgow based Equity for Punks investor, Jules Spence commented:
“I wasn't even a big beer drinker before, but I love a wee bit of BrewDog now. I was completely inspired by the hard work and determination of two young guys who saw something they wanted to change and worked their arses off to achieve it. And to top it all off they are taking responsibility to source resources locally and reduce their carbon footprint, good lads. Long live BrewDog!”
We have experienced record growth since its launch in 2007, seeing a 250 per cent sales increase for the past two years running and becoming Scotland’s largest independent brewery in the process.
Financial Summary of our audited accounts:
• Turnover up to £5.92m (up 77%)
• Pre Tax profits up to £425,000 (up 92%)
• Net Assets of £5.6m on balance sheet
• On track to hit turnover target of £10m+ in 2012
• Morning group yoga sessions in car park seem to be paying off.
Video Review of 2012
You can get your paws on some Dog A here http://www.brewdog.com/product/dog-a Our very limited edition 5th anniversary beer
Martin and I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped make our AGM such an epic day. Organising an event for that many people was completely new to us and our team did an amazing job and worked incredibly hard to make it such an awesome day.
At the end of it we were all exhausted, happy and very proud of our team and shareholders. With the people we have on board and the investors we have behind us, it is going to be an amazing journey over the next few years.
Walk tall, kick ass and learn to speak craft beer.
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