The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast

In this engaging discussion, Nick Gillett, Managing Director of Mangrove Global, dives into the intricacies of launching and scaling drinks brands. He clarifies the distinct roles of wholesalers and distributors in the drinks ecosystem. Gillett emphasizes the importance of relationships and personal interactions in the hospitality sector. He also reflects on how the wholesale landscape has transformed over the years and the challenges smaller brands face in gaining visibility. Throughout, he underscores the value of effective communication and deep product knowledge.

Stephen Myers, the Founder of Dynamic Beverage Consultants and one of the Originals at Ilegal Mezcal, dives deep into launching beverage brands. He shares valuable insights on avoiding costly mistakes and emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs. Myers discusses strategies for building relationships with unique accounts and highlights the balance between creativity and simplicity in drink programs. He also emphasizes the significance of personal engagement in entrepreneurship and the nuances of distributor relationships for sustainable growth.

Stephen Myers, founder of Dynamic Beverage Consultants and one of the Originals at Ilegal Mezcal, shares his insights on successfully launching beverage brands in the US market. He discusses the importance of storytelling and differentiation to create demand, and the balance between product quality and brand identity. Stephen highlights the value of building networks and relationships, and emphasizes adaptability and continuous learning as key strategies for navigating the complexities of the beverage industry.

Emmett Strack, drinks industry trends expert, discusses US & EU cross-pollination with Chris Mafel. They compare cocktail trends, on-trade dynamics, Gen Z preferences, and evolving drinking categories. Insightful chat on convenience, flavor ascension, and market trends.

Georgie Bell, co-founder of The Heart Cut, shares insights on building a brand from the ground up, discussing product explanation, storytelling, and target occasions. They explore the challenges of start-ups, building demand, and the drinks ecosystem. Dive into the early journey of a founder-led brand with learnings and course correction for bottom-up growth.

Georgie Bell, co-founder of The Heart Cut, discusses taste profiles, storytelling, and target occasions in the whiskey industry. They explore the importance of the liquid in building a brand, crafting memorable stories for whiskey, unique occasion strategies for single cask whiskey, innovative whiskey makers, inclusive marketing, and strategic marketing approaches.

Vani Gupta Dandia, a marketing professional, discusses building a drink brand bottom-up with Chris Maffeo. They talk about gender stereotypes, educating consumers, role of storytelling, cross-generational appeal, and building brands bottom-up.

In this engaging chat, Justin Medcraft, Founder of Mate Maker Hard Kombucha, shares his rich background in spirits and beer. He discusses strategies for launching a beverage brand, emphasizing the importance of community-driven marketing and authentic storytelling. The conversation highlights the challenges of market penetration and the need for a disciplined approach to brand building. Justin also explores how small brands can form creative partnerships and leverage grassroots efforts to enhance visibility and drive momentum in a competitive landscape.

Founder Justin Medcraft from Mate Maker Hard Kombucha discusses building demand, creating a loyal customer community, crafting an elevator pitch for mindful drinking, understanding consumer occasions, and market expansion strategy from Australia to California.

In Episode 051, I continued the conversation with Ilias Mastrogiannis from Episode 050 so feel free to listen to that as well. I hope you will enjoy our chat Time Stamps 0:00 Intro 0:15 Winning Large Retailers 5:28 Securing The Foundation 8:34 Non-Scalable Tasks 13:31 1% Better Everyday 17:57 The Necessity of Obsession 25:07 Wrap Up 27:24 Outro About The Host: Chris Maffeo About The Guest: Ilias Mastrogiannis