41st Annual Impact Marketing Seminar Program Announced

M. Shanken Communications, Inc., New York, will host the 41st Annual Impact Marketing Seminar on Thursday, March 9 next year at The Pierre in New York City. The Seminar brings together CEOs, presidents and senior marketing executives of leading companies from around the world. In past years, the event has also been held in London, Paris, Tokyo, Berlin and Madrid. Distinguished luncheon speakers have included Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretaries of State Dr. Henry Kissinger, Alexander Haig and Madeleine Albright, Ambassador John Bolton and Journalist Walter Cronkite, among many others.

This year’s program includes the following featured speakers:

•Takeshi Niinami, President & CEO of Suntory Holdings Ltd., who will discuss “Suntory’s Vision for the Future”;

•Paul Duffy, Chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, on “Spirits Trends in the U.S. Market”;

•James Thompson, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer of Diageo NA, on “Marketing to Millennials”;

•Wayne Chaplin, CEO, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, on “Southern Glazer’s: Transforming Distribution in America”;

•Peter Faricy, Vice President, General Manager, Amazon Marketplace, on “Amazon’s Strategy for the Wine Market of Tomorrow”;

•Rick Tigner, CEO, Jackson Family Wines, on “California’s Booming Premium Wine Market,” and

•Danny Meyer, CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group, on “The Future of Fine Dining in America.”

The program host is Marvin R. Shanken, Chairman of M. Shanken Communications, and the moderators are Vice Chairman Michael Moaba and David Fleming, Executive Editor of Shanken News Daily, Shanken’s Impact and Market Watch.

Seating is limited. This event normally sells out early. For more details and to register now, go to www.impactseminar.com.

Bota Box Surges Past 4-Million-Case Mark As Premium Boxed Segment Thrives

Bota Box, the premium boxed wine that’s been an Impact “Hot Brand” for eight years running, appears headed for a ninth consecutive award amid its strong gains in 2016. With two months still left in the year, Bota Box recently surpassed the 4-million-case mark, according to its owner, Delicato Family Vineyards. The brand sold 3.9 million cases on 28% growth in 2015, according to Impact Databank. The DFV brand’s yearly sales have jumped by nearly 3 million cases over the past five years.

Bota Box’s rapid rise is continuing this year. For the year-to-date through October 2, the brand (which generally retails for around $18-$20 a 3-liter box) was up by 32% to nearly 1.5 million cases in IRI channels.

Dominated by Bota Box and segment leader Black Box, the premium boxed wine segment continues to thrive. Black Box ($19-$21 a 3-liter box), owned by Constellation Brands, was up by 21% to 1.9 million cases in IRI channels through October 2, while the overall premium boxed segment (which IRI recognizes as entries selling for more than $4.50 per 750-ml. equivalent) rose by 24% to 5.7 million cases during that same period.

Bota Box isn’t only gaining significant ground on the volume front, but also on the value side—largely thanks to the success of Bota Brick, the 1.5-liter package extension DFV introduced in late 2014. Bota Brick, which generally retails in the $10-$13 range, is on pace to sell around 250,000 cases this year.

News Briefs:

•10-store Dallas-area retailer Sigel’s Beverages has filed for bankruptcy, citing an influx of new competitors to its region. According to the Dallas Morning News, Sigel’s is aiming for a reorganization in which it would close five stores—scattered across Addison, Richardson and Rockwall—and continue with its five more profitable locations as well as its wholesale business. Sigel’s has come under pressure in recent years from the Dallas entry of beverage alcohol chains like Spec’s and Total Wine & More, as well as supermarket operators like Trader Joe’s, Kroger and Whole Foods. Back in 2012—the same year fellow Dallas-area retailer Centennial filed for bankruptcy—Spec’s lodged a takeover offer for Sigel’s, but the two sides were unable to bring a deal to fruition.

•Gruppo Mezzacorona subsidiary Prestige Wine Imports has added Italy’s Mottura to its U.S. portfolio. Located in Tuglie in southern Italy, Mottura specializes in wines made with indigenous varietals such as Negroamaro and Primitivo. New York-based Prestige will take on four labels from the brand’s lineup: Primitivo del Salento ($15 a 750-ml.), Negroamaro del Salento ($15), Salento Primitivo ($25) and Salento Negroamaro ($25). Mottura joins Mezzacorona, Stemmari, Rotari and Castello di Querceto, among other brands, in Prestige Wine Imports’ stable.

•Napa Valley’s Clos du Val winery has named Armen Khachaturian director of national sales. Khachaturian, a 15-year industry veteran, previously led national sales efforts at Hanzell Vineyards and Ehlers Estate. In his new role, he will help introduce a new all-estate portfolio of Clos du Val wines, focused on the Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignons which are Clos du Val’s signature.

Craft Brewing and Distilling News:

•Craft beer industry veteran Bill Sysak is launching a new brewery in San Marcos, California next spring. Sysak’s Wild Barrel Brewing Co. has a 15-barrel brewhouse and will include a San Diego Weisse line of sour beers, a rotating selection of IPAs, an American stout and a Belgian Wit. Sysak was most recently craft beer ambassador at Stone Brewing.

Recently in the News:

• Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience Concludes With Mel Dick Receiving Top Award
• New York Wine Experience Brings The Industry’s Leading Lights To The Big Apple
• Pernod’s U.S. Upswing Continues In First Quarter, With Sales Rising Nearly 5%