Steve’s breakdown: They say the brand is being supported by digital and social media marketing, and retail and on-trade activities but we suspect, to make this a truly successful launch, they will have to do consumer advertising
NEW YORK:, NY: Pernod Ricard USA has introduced a new low-calorie spiced rum version of Malibu brand – [...]
Posts in category Industry: Booze/Beer/Wine
Ladies night on Malibu Island
Steve’s breakdown: They say the brand is being supported by digital and social media marketing, and retail and on-trade activities but we suspect, to make this a truly successful launch, they will have to do consumer advertising
NEW YORK:, NY: Pernod Ricard USA has introduced a new low-calorie spiced rum version of Malibu brand – [...]
New lease on life with Corona
Steve’s breakdown: The shake out from the AB InBev and Grupo Modelo merger is happening. The first ad account to drop, Corona. It looks as if Crown Imports could be the big winner so when it happens, be ready to congratulate Bill Hackett.
We suspect there will be a review of just about everything.
CHICAGO, IL: Nearly 30 years after Bil [...]
Brown Forman PSA project
Steve’s breakdown: Love doing good? Well, here’s a chance to do just that and get your foot in the door of Brown-Forman.
The deadline for the proposals is April 2nd, 2013 and the creative brief can be seen at this link.
LOUISVILLE, KY: Don’t be that sports fan, you know, the one who doesn’t have a plan for responsible [...]
Jersey Artisan scores distillery license
Steve’s breakdown: How much of a big deal this is can not be judged by history. But we believe they will be making their own history so this is a fun lead at the very least.
Brands include Busted Barrel Rum, Whiskey & Bourbon and Jersey Artisan Gin & Vodka
FAIRFIELD , NJ: The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (AB [...]
Luxco account review prediction pushes us to launch: Bizometer™
Steve’s breakdown: After years of predicting account reviews, we’ve come up with a visual to help communicate our predicted probability of an account review.
The Bizometer (Bi-zom-e-ter)
The vertical black line shows the level of the new business opportunity.
We’ve got Luxco clearly In-The-Red today because:
1) On January 2 [...]
CMO takes the plunge at Bacardi
Steve’s breakdown: Last November we told you: Bacardi ad review kicker: The CMO quits. And here we are with the new guy. We didn’t except an Australian so maybe there will be more changes than excepted.
HAMILTON, Bermuda: Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held spirits company in the world, names Andy J. Gibson, 44, Chief Mar [...]
Beer brands to keep an eye on
Steve’s breakdown: It’s complicated but brands Corona, Modelo, Pacifico and many more are kinda just hanging out there after the Justice Dept blocked Anheuser-Busch InBev from buying them.
It could be a while before things shake out but these brands can’t stand still so check into them.
WASHINGTON, DC: The Justice Department [...]
Bayou rum to launch this summer
Steve’s breakdown: They are going to need some advertising to make this brand as successful as they plan.
LACASSINE, LA: The Hornets weren’t the only ones this month to get a new name. Last week, the new distillery Louisiana Spirits in Lacassine announced that it will launch this summer both a clear, “silver” run and a [...]
Grant’s Whisky: Global Ad Review
Steve’s breakdown: The Observatory is running the pitch so get aquaited.
LONDON, UK: Grant’s Whisky is in the early stages of reviewing its global above-the-line advertising account.
It is understood that the brand is in early stages of speaking to agencies and holding chemistry sessions ahead of any formal agency approaches to pitch.
T [...]
Westons Cider launches its 1st agency search
Steve’s breakdown: AAR London is handling the pitch so check if your credentials are up to date. The clients has a portfolio of brands and has never had an agency before. This could be a great opportunity or not-so-much. You decide.
Westons, the cider-maker, is looking for an agency to handle all advertising as it ramps up marketing act [...]
Courvoisier: Advertising Review
Steve’s breakdown: This review is being handled out of London but we’re not completely sure how wide this review is. Better give Creativebrief a call.
LONDON, UK: Courvoisier, the cognac brand owned by Beam, is looking for an agency to handle its advertising account.
The review for the UK’s top-selling cognac is being handled b [...]
Mixing up $130 million in media at Bacardi
Steve’s breakdown: Ark Advisors is handling the pitch which includes the brands Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire and Bacardi Rums.
Place “Bacardi” in the field on the upper right hand side to search past Bacardi posts.
MIAMI, FL: Spirits giant Bacardi Limited has begun an agency review for its estimated $130 million media buying [...]
Account review prediction: Luxco buys a bunch of brands from Beam
Steve’s breakdown: Brands affected included Calvert, Bellows, Wolfschmidt vodka, Dark Eyes vodka, Canada House Canadian, and Tempo Triple Sec. The ads on the left are from the 60s.
We think Luxco will have to review its marketing for all their brands now so give them a call.
ST LOUIS, MO: Beam Inc., which makes Jim Beam and Maker’ [...]
St Germain pours into Miami
Steve’s breakdown: It’s time for your yearly call to Bacardi to congratulate them for yet another purchase. This is a sexy one too and we suspect the coming ad campaign will be the same.
MIAMI, FL: Bacardi is all set to purchase St Germain liqueur brand from Cooper Spirits International, a New York-based independent and privately [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Anchor Steam’s owner launches Hophead Vodka
Steve’s breakdown: We all know about Anchor Steam’s beers and ales but few know about their distillery. If fact, with this brand launch, they will have 60 spirits in their portfolio. The brewery does their advertising in-house so we suspect the same is true with the distillery.
So congratulate them on the launch of their own vodka [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Heineken Global Digital Review
Steve’s breakdown: We believe we’re scooping the entire American press on this one. Having just seen James Bond drinking a Heineken in Skyfall, I’m interested to see what’s next. They do say they are seeking to build a stronger e-commerce presence through this pitch.
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands: Heineken International [...]
Content Project: Miller 64
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s something festive to think about during the holiday. BEER!
Get the brief:
Deadline: December 16, 2012
MILWAUKEE, WI: We are looking to generate new content for two exciting campaign initiatives to help Miller64 get 2013 off to a fresh start! It’s up to you to choose which of the two creative optio [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout launch: Agency?
Steve’s breakdown: Sometimes we just run into potential clients and wonder why they are not being represented. Alltech is a good example. And here they are launching another beer . . .
LEXINGTON, KY: Alltech added a fourth beer to its Kentucky Ale stable of brews on Monday.
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout is a coffee stout that uses the H [...]
Jamaica Rums have new Owner
Steve’s breakdown: Appleton is a big brand that should be much bigger in the United States. Maybe you can convince the new owners you’re the agency to do just that?
KINGSTON Jamaica: Italian drinks giant Gruppo Campari has made a tender offer of $414.8m to buy 100% of the issued shares of Lascelles deMercado (LdM), a Jamaica-based [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
US spirit companies get green light in Panama
Steve’s breakdown: This is good news for all liquor companies and will create new business opportunities nationwide.
EVERYWHERE, USA: Panama has removed 15% tariff on US distilled spirits, following the new US-Panama trade promotion agreement that came into effect on 31 October 2012.
According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the US [...]
Bacardi ad review kicker: The CMO quits
Steve’s breakdown: There’s a twist in the Bacardi review which we cover in September. The CMO has quit. We think there was some P&G vs. Unilever politics going on but this changes the review considerablly.
MIAMI, FL: Bacardi ‘s Chief Marketing Officer Silvia Lagnado is leaving the drinks company just two months after bei [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Inside scoop: ShakeUp at Brown Forman marketing
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s another reason to subscribe to the Ratti Report. My ROLODEX! (Do they still say that?)
I just confirmed this movement at B-F with a very close friend of mine down there. Though he couldn’t say much, he did say there was lots of movement in the department and that means opportunity!!
Between you and [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Jim Beam and Belvedere Vodka talking to shops
Steve’s breakdown: We were still working on the Belvedere account not much more than a year ago at Berlin Cameron. These people move around a lot so be aware.
Anyway, they are saying these two brands are in review but no one is formally confirming. Time to check it out.
Speaking of Beam, we had predicted the Pinnacle account would go in [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Grey Goose importer’s new venture: VnC Cocktails
Steve’s breakdown: These are the folks who brought us Grey Goose and then sold it to Bacardi for $3 billion. Now they are onto VnC. A ready to serve cocktail item.
NEW YORK, NY: Sidney Frank Importing has partnered with VnC Cocktails of New Zealand to import and distribute the latter’s ready-to-serve products in the US, Puerto Ric [...]
125 proof vodka launches out of New Orleans
Steve’s breakdown: In addition to the launch of Buck 25 and the company, they have Toulouse Red, a red absinthe, in the pipeline so ask about both.
NEW ORLEANS, LA: Most vodkas are 80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume. The 125-proof Buck 25 from New Orleans’ Atelier Vie comes armed with extra firepower. Jedd Haas, president of the M [...]
Suntory Liquors to launch Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark & 24 more items in Japan
Steve’s breakdown: We have never reported on international news that wasn’t an account review but this one had to happen. Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and whole bunch more are “dropping” in Japan but who’s handling the advertising?
TOKYO, Japan: Suntory to launch of 26 Items from 10 Import Brands, Including the W [...]
Carling serves up $3 to 15 million ad review
Steve’s breakdown: One has to wonder what a brand wants after it has nailed down the positioning and tagline. “Brilliantly British, Brilliantly Refreshing” is nice but what’s next? This might be the only time I’ll ever say, “it’s a good thing a consultant is involved.”
STAFFORDSHIRE , UK: [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Bacardi: Global Advertising Review
Steve’s breakdown: I’m blown away by this news but here you go. And we are the first American news outlet telling you this!! Your welcome.
Here’s another link to the news.
MIAMI, FL: Bacardi has called for a review of its global advertising business, one year after the account was won by New York based Johannes Leo [...]
Heineken USA Appoints VP of Marketing for Portfolio Brands
Steve’s breakdown: The new guy is going to be leading the development and execution of brand strategy, media and public relations for Dos Equis, Newcastle Brown Ale, Amstel and the recently acquired Strongbow Cider brand. Sounds like a good guy to put on your call sheet.
BYW: We think the best opportunity here is with the Amstel brand.
[...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Iconic Brands signs letter of intent to acquire United Spirits
Steve’s breakdown: There are a lot of moving parts with this news but the guy seems serious. Get in there now before decisions get made.
AMITYVILLE NY: Iconic Brands, a New York-based company that develops, markets and distributes branded alcoholic beverages, has signed a letter of intent to acquire membership units of United Spirits he [...]
Jameson Irish Whiskey seeks creative shop
Steve’s breakdown: They say there are four shop invited to the pitch but don’t let that stop you from throwing your hat in the ring.
CORK, Ireland: Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers has invited four Dublin agencies to pitch for its Jameson Irish Whiskey creative advertising account. IDL’s current roster agencies Boys and Girls, Ca [...]
Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition to launch
Steve’s breakdown: Now that we are looking closer into the spirits biz because a subscriber asked us to, we’re seeing there is more movement than we thought in the category. Mostly with product launches that could help an agency get into a category. Here’s another example:
DUFFTOWN, Scotland: Glenfiddich Distillery, a Scotla [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: Accounts won one year ago this week. Source: Access Confidential
Cannon Mountain [...]
Tiger Beer is getting stalked by Heineken
Steve’s breakdown: This is not a done deal but if this spike in stock price is any indicator of how it’s going to go down, The Tiger is moving to Amsterdam.
SINGAPORE: Shares of Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd (APB +0.41%, news) soared to a record in Singapore trading on Tuesday after Dutch brewer Heineken sweetened its offer for the [...]
Jose Cuervo is moving to London: Account review is predicted!
Steve’s breakdown: The thing about these types of acquisitions is that they usually create an advertising review. And that’s exactly what we are going predict! And judging by the present campaign, it’s not soon enough.
LONDON, UK: Diageo’s long-awaited takeover of Mexican tequila company Jose Cuervo is close to being confir [...]
2033 came too early: Svedka has new VP marketing
Steve’s breakdown: Oversimplification is the word that comes to mind regarding the campaign used by Svedka vodka to attract gay folks. Human Alert: Svedka is not “gay potion.” NEXT!!
NEW YORK, NY: SVEDKA Vodka (owned by Constellation Brands), the fastest growing top-10 spirits brand and the second largest imported vodka br [...]
Cognacs gone Wild!
Steve’s breakdown: Four products launches in one post. You’r welcome!
NEW YORK, NY: CAMUS (pronunciation: ”Kah-moo”), the last independent, family-owned Cognac house and 5th largest worldwide, is proud to announce the release of the first and only Ile de Re Cognac. Ile de Re is an island off the west coast of Francetha [...]
ACT TODAY! Strongbow cider now with Heineken USA
Steve’s breakdown: They are moving fast so make this call today!
Here’s what’s happening: “Heineken USA will position Strongbow as the leading upscale cider brand, offering both male and female consumers an alternative alcoholic beverage option. The company will finalize its distribution strategy and marketing plans i [...]
West Brewery coming to America
Steve’s breakdown: This project would probably start in Glasgow but that doesn’t mean your agency headquarters couldn’t be it’s first foothold in the US.
BTW: WEST is the only brewery in the UK that produces all of its beers according to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Purity Law.
GLASGOW, Scotland: West Brewery, a Glas [...]
Green winery gets major bump in funds: Tolosa Winery
Steve’s breakdown: This giant wine company may be just what the doctor ordered of one sustainably farmed vineyard brand that uses solar power during processing: Tolosa Winery
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA: Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery (E&J), a California-based company involved in grape growing, winemaking, distribution and marketing of wines [...]
The Goose wants to go digital: Goose Island Beer
Steve’s breakdown: Goose Island Beer is looking to pump up their digital marketing including KPI tracking, CRM, email marketing, mobile marketing, SEO, online advertising, social media and mobile marketing initiatives. So if that’s your bag, jump on it.
How do we know? We mine everything for leads including hiring trends in marke [...]
Submit your 30 second TV ad to Bolla
Steve’s breakdown: For small agencies wanting to get into the booze biz, assignments like this can be a big help. There’s not a lot of money but big exposure potential!! Even if you don’t get the gig, the spot can go on your reel. The creative brief is below and at this link via Poptent.
OLD BROOKVILLE, NY: With over 125 yea [...]
Liquor sales in WA are down 9.4% since private retailers took over: Advertising problem??
Steve’s breakdown: If you’re an agency in Washington, you can’t ignor this issue and the potential opportunity it exposes. There are probably 100s of small and dozens of not-so-small ad accounts out there waiting for someone to tell them what to do. Get Out There!
WASHINGTON STATE: We won’t know for a while whether Was [...]
Ballantine drinks up creative reivew
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a sexy pitch to get into. Global.Beer.Adverting! Drink it up
PARIS, France: Ballantine‘s, the Pernod Ricard Scotch whisky brand, is reviewing its global advertising business.
Ballantine’s: has approached roster and non-roster agencies It has approached a number of Pernod Ricard roster and non-roster [...]
Peroni brews up ad account review
Steve’s breakdown: SABMiller, the international brewing giant, is looking to consolidate its UK advertising agency arrangements for its Peroni Nastro Azzurro brand. And this just in: The review may also include PR.
WOKING SURREY, UK: The review is being conducted by the intermediary The Observatory.
Peroni currently works with a number [...]
Agencies belly-up for Rémy Cointreau media review
Steve’s breakdown: AdWeek or AdAge didn’t pick this one up but we’ve got your back! “Rémy Cointreau, the French alcohol manufacturer, is reviewing its €40 million global media planning and buying business.”
PARIS, France: The incumbent on the global account is the WPP-owned MEC, which has worked with the company [...]
Connecticut Brewers Guild is launched
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s the key line of this story: “The new non-profit organization will try to attract tourists, promote beer festivals and generally increase interest in local brews.”
I hear a baby crying . . . a new ad account was just born!
HARTFORD, CT: Beer drinkers seeking a locally made brew will get help fr [...]
Modelo/Budweiser brouhaha: Aquisition to be announced
Steve’s breakdown: Once this goes through, expect InBev to review all operations including marketing. Brands affected include Modelo and Corona.
LEUVEN, Belgium: Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, the world’s biggest brewer, is close to buying the remainder of Mexico’s Grupo Modelo SAB for more than $12 billion, according to a person with knowle [...]
BadAss Beer sobers up to find new bad ass brewer
Steve’s breakdown: The brand is still around but will need a new brewer . . . and probably a new campaign.
WEBBERVILLE, MI: An auction is planned for Wednesday to sell off assets of Michigan Brewing Co., known for making beers including musician Kid Rock’s own Badass Beer.
The Lansing State Journal reports (http://on.lsj.com/Lqy [...]
Sam Adams goes for the hard stuff: Partnering with Berkshire Mountain to make whiskey
Steve’s breakdown: We all knew this was going to happen someday. Well here it is: Sam Whiskey! Managing the expectations of this brand will probably be the big job.
BOSTON GREAT BARRINGTON, MA: You know what’s good? Samuel Adams beer. You know what’s better? Samuel Adams liquor. The local brewery today announced a partnership with Berks [...]