MAFFEO DRINKS

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

Ilias Mastrogiannis, the founder of Distillery Nation Podcast and Mastrogiannis Winery and Distillery, shares his journey influenced by Greek traditions. He discusses the evolution of his podcast into a distillery, illuminating the importance of adaptability in branding. Building demand through authenticity and community connections is key, alongside the significance of consumer engagement at events. Ilias also highlights the challenges of cocktail culture and the importance of consumer education in enhancing the drinking experience.

Stephanie Jordan, Co-founder of B Corp Avallen Spirits and former Global Brand Ambassador for Tanqueray Gin, shares her journey in the drinks industry. She discusses the importance of sustainable packaging, highlighting innovations and collaborations that drive eco-friendly practices. Jordan elaborates on navigating bar distribution and crafting cocktail menus while maintaining brand identity. She emphasizes gratitude and community engagement as essential for driving sustainable change, showing how these elements can transform the spirits market.

Stephanie Jordan, Co-Founder of B-Corp Avallen Spirits and a sales & marketing consultant, shares her journey in launching a unique Calvados brand. She discusses the challenges of introducing an obscure spirit to the market and highlights the importance of sustainability in today’s drinks industry. Topics include transforming consumer engagement by simplifying choices and ensuring clear messaging around sustainability to combat greenwashing. Her insights on positioning Calvados as a sophisticated alternative in cocktails are particularly fascinating.

CEO of Duppy Share Rum, Jack Orr-Ewing, discusses efficient marketing spend, aligning route to market with brand stage, dangers of overeating as a brand, systematizing selling to bars, adapting to local ecosystems, best brand awareness tools, pitfalls of big brand events, and strategic sponsorship decisions.

CEO Jack Orr-Ewing shares insights on brand development, selecting bars, differentiating brands for on-trade, utilizing portfolio for market entry, and targeting consumers, with a focus on the journey of The Duppy Share Rum brand in the UK market.

Francesco Sapienza, a talented food photographer based in NYC, shares valuable insights into drinks photography and the fast-paced hospitality industry. He discusses the art of capturing enticing images in dim light and emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication. Sapienza reveals how relatable visuals can resonate better with consumers than overly aspirational shots. He also highlights the role of education in enhancing brand connection and consumer loyalty, showcasing how storytelling elevates drink culture.

Francesco Sapienza, a NYC-based Food & Drink Photographer who left a successful engineering career in Stockholm, shares his journey into the culinary world. He discusses the importance of choosing a niche and targeting the right clientele. Francesco emphasizes the role of effective communication in the hospitality sector, helping brands understand the visual impact of photography. He also dives into how networking and personal connections helped him establish his brand in a competitive industry, all while creating demand for his unique photography style.