New Lobster Marketing Leader Sees Rich Opportunity

Mainers know that few people need encouragement to eat Maine lobster. But those in the industry know that the market has to expand beyond an occasional half-dozen lobsters bought to impress weekend guests. The job of driving demand for the crustaceans – and, it’s hoped, firming up prices – now falls to Matt Jacobson, who was named executive director of Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative this week. The collaborative was formed last year after a huge catch depressed prices. It is funded by surcharges on licenses for harvesters, processors and dealers and is aimed at creating a unified marketing effort and opening new markets for lobster. Jacobson is perhaps best known from his five years as president and chief executive officer of Maine & Company, a nonprofit that worked to encourage companies to locate or expand in Maine. He also ran for governor in 2010. Jacobson takes over the collaborative next month.

Q: What led to you to take the collaborative’s top job?

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