News Briefs For May 9, 2011
May 9, 2011• New York-based Relevant Group has been tapped as the global agency of record for Stolichnaya Elit, and will be charged with creating a multi-channel marketing strategy, brand development, above-the-line advertising and creative, experiential activations and digital duties related to the ultra-premium Stolichnaya extension. The core Stolichnaya brand’s creative duties are currently up for grabs, with McCann Erickson, Taxi, Berlin Cameron United and Ammirati thought to among those in the running.
• Russian Standard has named Colorado-based TDA Boulder its U.S. media agency of record. Russian Standard Americas vice president, marketing Sumindi Peiris said the company plans to “invest heavily to bring Russian Standard vodka’s American market penetration to be commensurate with Western Europe and Russia.” National TV, outdoor, online and print ads are in the works for the brand in the U.S., where volume rose 30% last year to 196,000 cases, according to Impact Databank. Globally, Russian Standard rose 13% to 2.5 million cases in 2010.
• Patrón Spirits has appointed former Diageo executive Phil Gervasi executive vice president for sales in North America, replacing John Palatella, who joined Glazer’s as executive vice president last month. In his new role, Gervasi will report directly to Patrón coo John McDonnell, working with distribution partners in the U.S. and assuming responsibility for overseeing the company’s portfolio in Canada. Gervasi most recently was senior vice president and general manager with Diageo North America, managing California and several Western states.
• U.S. wine and spirits wholesaler and distributor Republic National Distributing Co (RNDC) has filled three regional president positions. President of RNDC in Florida Tom White has been appointed region president of RNDC Florida, Maryland and Washington DC, while fellow RNDC veteran Don Emig—who’s been with the company since 1985—has been promoted to region president of RNDC Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Meanwhile, former E&J Gallo executive Jay Johnson—who joined RNDC in 1991—has been named region president of RNDC Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. White, Emig and Johnson will all report to Bob Hendrickson, RNDC’s executive vice president of sales and marketing.
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