London – 2 July 2013
News Release – Partnership of Marblehead and Quintessential Brands announced 02072013
Marblehead, the UK based, privately-owned brand development and distribution company, today announces a new partnership with Quintessential Brands, the recently-launched independent spirits company. The partnership provides Marblehead with a portfolio of new-to-market, premium, niche brands and gives Quintessential Brands a tailor-made agency solution, providing a highly successful and established distribution network in the On Trade and prestige Off Trade.
Ricky Agnew, Chairman of Marblehead, comments, “We are delighted to be working with Quintessential Brands in an exciting new partnership and see this as the meeting of two like-minded dynamic companies coming together to create a new force to be reckoned with in the UK Drinks Industry.”
Mike Salmon, International Brands and Marketing Director of Quintessential Brands adds, “This partnership means we are able to provide Marblehead with increased stability and some fantastic new brands. In return we are working with a highly respected prestige agency which has over 30 years’ experience and an established distribution network, giving particularly high penetration in the premium On Trade, essential for our super premium Gin brands, including Berkeley Square London Dry Gin. Marblehead’s seeding expertise will immediately come to bear on the two new brands Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin and Toussaint Coffee Liqueur.”
With the partnership comes a change in the management structure at Marblehead, with Emma Wykes being appointed to the new position of Managing Director of Marblehead.
Notes to Editors:
Marblehead is the distribution and brand development agency which has been responsible for the growth of Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Lillet Blanc, Rouge and Rosé apéritifs, as well as Marblehead’s own brands Davna Vodka and Skipper Rum. Over the past 37 years, Marblehead founder Ricky Agnew and his team have been instrumental in launching and growing brands in the UK including Absolut Vodka, Maker’s Mark, Wyborowka Vodka and Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka.
Quintessential Brands is the new leading, independent international spirits company headed by Enzo Visone, former CEO of Campari and experienced investment banker Warren Scott. Quintessential Brands recently acquired G&J Greenall, the world’s second largest gin producer. The company’s vision includes growing existing brand portfolios, developing niche existing brands as well as bringing new brands to market. Quintessential Brands’ plans also include the development of world class production capabilities and the broadening of its distribution platform in both the UK and internationally.
For further information, please contact:
ABOUT QUINTESSENTIAL BRANDS
Quintessential Brands owns an award-winning portfolio of world-class spirit brands, which is powered by a strong entrepreneurial vision and passion for innovation, backed by centuries of handcrafted distilling expertise.
Quintessential Brands Group was established in 2011 with the acquisition of G&J Distillers, the UK’s foremost gin distillery, which evolved from Thomas Dakin’s original 1761 operation and now produces an unrivalled quality gin selection. In Ireland, Dublin Liberties Distillery is our home of modern Irish whiskeys and First Ireland Spirits in Abbeyleix crafts award-winning Irish creams. Our French hub, L&L France, creates fine French fruit liqueurs, cognacs, brandies and vodka.
For more information, please contact the communications team at Quintessential Brands by e-mail: [email protected]
