WEBB sees profits double in 2013 World Equity Brand Builders (WEBB) is a leading distributor and marketer of premium wines and spirits across the Caribbean, duty free, cruise lines and the Americas at large. The company works with such brands as The Macallan, The Famous Grouse, Highland Park, Cutty Sark, Brugal, Armand de Brignac, Luc Belaire, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Mionetto, Licor 43 and Blanton’s Bourbon. Given the high-profile brands WEBB works with and their knowledge of the spirits business, it’s no surprise that business doubled in the Caribbean region last year. To further grow their business, the company has added two new brands to its portfolio: Disaronno and Tia Maria, which will be marketed and distributed by WEBB in the Caribbean, on cruise lines and in North America duty free. WEBB recently partnered with The Edrington Group to open new offices in Brickell, Miami. The opening marks the commitment of both companies to achieve growth in the region. The offices will serve as business hubs for the companies, as well as being used as a training facility for brand ambassadors, distributors and sales teams across the region. Some new company appointments include Anette Mourier as Marketing Manager for key duty free accounts and Sandy Welch as Trade Marketing Manager. Mourier comes from Seagrams in London, while Welch comes from Pernod Ricard. The company will be showcasing their full portfolio of products, including premium wines and spirits, at this year’s IAADFS. WEBB will also host two key events: a Speakeasy event on Monday and an Italian night on Tuesday. Attendees are invited to visit the company’s booth at IAADFS for full details
The WEBB team (from left): Juan Jidy, Finance and Marketing Analyst; Anette Mourier, Senior Marketing Manager; Phillip Jarrell, Sales Director; Sandy Welch; Trade Marketing Manager; Andy Consuegra, Managing Director; Mercedes Velasco, Customer Service Director; Kenneth Pfeiffer, Finance Director; Kimberly Epstein, Marketing Intern; and Enrique Guzmann, Logistics and Warehouse Manager.
As the result of a partnership with MONARQ Group, La Fée Absinthe will be available in the Americas
La Fée Absinthe expands its reach into the Americas market Through a partnership with MONARQ Group, La Fée Absinthe will be available across the Americas to cruise ship operators and border stores in the Caribbean and Latin America throughout 2014. “La Fée Absinthe has had a strong presence in global duty free for many years, which currently includes listings with World Duty Free Group, Dubai Duty Free and Dufry,” explained George Rowley, Founder of La Fée Absinthe. “We have seen consumers become increasingly more aware of traditional French absinthe, but what sets La Fée apart is our association with Le Musée de l’Absinthe.” Indeed, La Fée specializes in Absinthe, producing six different varieties that offer consumers options, from mainstream to ultra-premium. Rowley considers La Fée to be a pioneer of absinthe’s modern renaissance. The company plans to showcase two new products at IAADFS in Orlando this March: the newly refined La Fée Parisienne, a Verte Absinthe Superieure bottled
at 68% ABV, and La Fée Absinthe Blanche, a Blanche Absinthe Superieure bottled at 53% ABV. Made with 100% natural ingredients, Parisienne is now also packaged in a UV-resistant bottle to protect its delicate natural color. “La Fée pioneered absinthe’s renaissance ever since they started distilling in France in 2000,” explained Rowley. The company worked closely with Marie-Claude Delahaye, Founder of Musée de l’Absinthe, to fully ensure authenticity and quality. MONARQ Group has partnered with many duty free retail outlets/operators recently, including adding the following countries to its roster of retailers: Trinidad, Barbados, Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Antigua, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama and finally Paraguay. “With Brazil hosting the World Cup this year and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, there are more opportunities for growth,” stated de Monchy of the recent developments the company has seen in South American countries. www.dutyfreemagazine.ca AMERICAS DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING
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