William Grant & Sons
To Market Stoli In US

William Grant & Sons USA reached an agreement yesterday with Russia’s SPI Group to become the U.S. marketer of Stolichnaya, one of the U.S. market’s top five vodka brands. Pernod Ricard has been marketing Stolichnaya in the U.S. since 2005,....IMPACT

Following Realignment,
Flocco Departs Beam

Having transformed Fortune Brands’ drinks division, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, since taking the helm as Beam’s President and CEO in January 2004, Tom Flocco is leaving the company to pursue other interests. The Beam Global senior executive team ....IMPACT

US Court Rejects
Michigan Shipping Law

Michigan once again has become a significant legal battleground in the direct shipping conflict that has moved to the retail tier. Michigan’s law banning direct-to-consumer wine shipments from out-of-state retailers was deemed a violation of the ....IMPACT

Constellation Reports
2nd Quarter Loss

Constellation Brands reported a net loss of $23 million during its second quarter (ending August 31, 2008), held down by $128 million in charges and write-downs connected to operations in Australia. Still, Constellation believes it’s on track to ....IMPACT

Glenlivet Unveils
'Family Tree' In Ads

Pernod Ricard USA is getting behind its market-leading Glenlivet single malt Scotch whisky with a new print ad campaign playing up the versatility of its range. The “Family Tree” campaign—rolling out this October to a predominantly male target audience....IMPACT

Wirtz Buys Out
Glazer's In Illinois

Wirtz Beverage Group has acquired Glazer’s interest in the two distributors’ Illinois joint venture, Judge & Dolph, LLC, but Glazer’s will likely remain involved in the market via its recent alliance with Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. ....IMPACT

Cameron Hughes First
To Tap Bacchus Fund

San Francisco-based Bacchus Capital Management LLC has hit the ground running since opening up for business this summer. The firm, founded by drinks industry veteran Sam Bronfman II and investment bankers Peter Kaufman and Henry Owsley last year,....IMPACT

Diageo Distillery
Set To Open

Diageo continues to ramp up its malt production to sate the worldwide thirst for its whiskies, with one new distillery nearing completion and many expansions underway. The £40 million ($69m) Roseisle Distillery in Morayshire, Scotland is in the final....IMPACT

Russian Standard
Aligns With My Agency

London-based My Agency recently beat out competitors from France, Russia and the U.S. for Russian Standard Vodkas’ global creative account. The agency is expected to launch its first campaign for the Russian vodka house in the U.S., Russia and Europe....IMPACT

Combs Evokes Sinatra
In New Cîroc Ads

Sean “Diddy” Combs is channel-ing the “Rat Pack” in his latest promotional vehicle for Diageo’s ultra-premium vodka Cîroc. The commercials, filmed in one of Frank Sinatra’s old homes, depict an evening celebration in black and white while Sinatra....IMPACT

Lane Appointed
Terlato's COO

Chicago-based Terlato Wines International has promoted Chief Marketing Officer David Lane to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Lane, who has been with TWI since 2005, has 17 years of experience in the premium wine industry, beginning with ....IMPACT

Ruvo Named Chairman,
Conzonato COO of Skyy

Skyy Spirits has announced the promotion of Gerry Ruvo, who has held the title of President, to Chairman and CEO. Meanwhile, Skyy parent Gruppo Campari has named Andrea Conzonato as the San Francisco-based Skyy’s COO and Chief Marketing Officer. ....IMPACT

Probst Named CFO
Of Beam Global

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. has appointed Robert Probst as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Probst will be responsible for the company’s financial operations and accounting and strategic activities. Probst was most recently....IMPACT