PERNOD RICARD USA
Ed Merklen has been named General Manager-East Division Sales. Prior to joining Pernod Ricard, Merklen worked for the past twelve years at the Coca-Cola Company where he held a series of executive sales roles in the bottling, divisional and national chain groups. In his most recent position as VP of... Read More
DIAGEO
Oliver Loomes has been appointed as Global Brand Director for Guinness. Prior to this, Loomes was the Marketing and Innovation Director for Diageo Ireland. Oliver has been with Diageo for 12 years and was previously Head of Marketing on Spirits and Lagers in Ireland.
OBITUARY: PATTY BOGLE, 59
The matriarch of Bogle Vineyards in Clarksburg, California, died in February due to complications of leukemia. Patty Bogle and her late-husband Chris built Bogle Vineyards from 18 acres of grapes to a regional wine powerhouse. Wine Business Monthly recently ranked Bogle as the country’s 14th largest winery. The Bogles first... Read More
RAISE A GLASS TO YOUR HEART!
The stream of medical findings, either touting or decrying alcohol consumption, seems endless. Currently, general opinion seems to lean in the direction of pro-consumption for a variety of health benefits. The latest medical news would seem to support that, as two new papers by Canadian researchers are reporting that moderate... Read More
A NIX ON THE NIGHTCAP FOR WOMEN?
Women who enjoy a cocktail before bed might want to rethink that late night tipple. A new study from the University of Michigan has found that intoxication from alcohol can increase feelings of sleepiness while at the same time disrupt actual sleep measures in healthy women more than in healthy... Read More
THERE’S A NEW LIQUOR CZAR IN TOWN
After several long months, Boston finally has a new liquor czar. Governor Patrick has filled a post that had been vacant for seven months and took steps to return future appointment power to the Hub after decades of state control. Patrick appointed Nicole Murati Ferrer, a longtime attorney for the... Read More
RIP WAABI
The World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries, Inc.’s (WAABI) Board of Directors has voted to dissolve the 67-year-old volunteer group, citing declining membership and corporate support. At a February meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, the Board reviewed several options for stemming a dwindling cash reserve and roster of local chapters.... Read More
A FORTUNE WINDFALL FOR DIAGEO?
The breakup of Fortune Brands is shaping up to be a potential boon for Diageo. The drinks company is the most probable buyer of most of Fortune Brands’ Jim Beam spirits business, with Bacardi Ltd. as a bidding partner for the remainder, Liberum Capital analysts reported. “We expect Diageo to... Read More
HORIZON IS COMING TO NORTON
Norton is rolling out the red carpet. At a recent town meeting, voters unanimously approved a tax break package that will bring Horizon Beverage Company to the former General Motors plant. Horizon plans on spending $43 million to purchase and expand the former plant, a 4OO,OOO-square-foot facility on Commerce Way.... Read More
IT’S ALL SOCIAL
Forget websites, they’re so passé. Bacardi is set to scale back its brand websites and refocus its marketing efforts on social-media platforms that host its branded content. The drinks company, which owns Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire, Dewar’s, and Grey Goose, will pare back its sites because they are expensive to run... Read More