Gabriel González’s Post

The August issue is live and it's a juicy one 🍋 Adam and Amanda Kroener couldn’t have predicted that the zero-sugar, zero-carb, vodka-based cocktails they began mixing in their kitchen would grow to an eight-figure business within its first three years, but fast growth and the Carbliss - THE PREMIUM Ready to Drink Cocktail brand have become somewhat synonymous. The company was ranked No. 1 on Inc. Magazine's list of the Midwest’s fastest-growing private companies in 2024 with two-year revenue growth of 7,127% (yes, that’s a comma, not a decimal.) “In Wisconsin, we’re the number one spirit-based ready-to-drink — we outsell High Noon, we outsell Crown Royal, we outsell every other brand in our category,” says Carbliss’ Executive Vice President Mike Dempsey. “We’ve got little Carbliss competing with the world’s biggest brands that have almost unlimited amounts of money. And for us to not only be competing with them, but beating them, is really incredible." Read more about the little can that could in our August issue: https://loom.ly/ckm0BPA

Why does it feel like everyone who's anyone is launching their own drink these days? Sabrina Carpenter’s got a smoothie, Lewis Hamilton’s crafted a tequila, and Tom Holland? He’s on the non-alcoholic beer scene. Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Jason Momoa, JLo, Kate Upton, Ryan Reynolds, Bella Hadid, Katy Perry—the list just keeps growing. So, why are so many big names diving into ready-to-drink beverages? Simple: it's good business. The ready-to-drink market is surging, now reaching into hundreds of billions of dollars, driven by none other than… you. Think about it—every aesthetic Instagram photo seems to have a drink front and centre, whether it’s coffee, matcha, or a cocktail. A drink in hand has become a vibe, and today’s consumers are willing to pay for that vibe. #BeverageIndustry #ReadyToDrink #BrandStrategy #ConsumerTrends #Marketing

So that didn’t go how I expected… Had a meeting today with a big player in the wine game (who will probably read this 👋 ). I’ll be honest - I went into it a little guarded. Why do they want this meeting? What do we have that they’re trying to steal? Are they going to schmooze me and dazzle me and persuade me to accidentally give away all our secrets???? (What secrets?! Who the hell knows…) But it wasn’t like that at all. They laid it out in super simple terms: If we want to get everyone on board with boxed wine, we’ve got to be as broad and as varied a category as bottles. We’ve got to have successful affordable BIBs.  We’ve got to have successful luxury BIBs.  We’ve got to have BIBs that appeal to hipsters.  BIBs that appeal to wine snobs.  BIBs for students, BIBs for parties, BIBs for instagram. The dam won’t break until we’re all hammering at it together. We can recruit a small army of D2C customers over here at Laylo, but that ain’t going to scratch the surface of what we could do in retail, if the supermarkets started shouting about boxes. And we can’t make those retail shifts solo. No supermarket is about to redesign their (dark, poky) boxed wine shelf just for us… So props to my new market-dominant friends. They get that we’re in it together. And now I do too: 💡 If you’re trying to shift consumer behaviour, your competitors are your allies. #disruption #wine #boxedwine #supermarkets #consumerbehaviour #innovation

It's time we level the playing field in the spirits industry. With access to Overproof's a database of over 2 million cocktail menus, I've identified a high-priority list of bars and restaurants in Chicago with Gin Martini on their menu—while filtering out major brands like Hendrick’s, Tanqueray, and Bombay Sapphire. 🎯 With this tool, you can level the playing field by pinpointing on-premise accounts that are an ideal fit for your brand. Whether you're looking to enter new markets or grow within existing ones, Overproof offers data-driven insights to guide your strategy. Ready to see how targeted insights can make a difference for your brand? Book a demo with me to learn more. #drinksbusiness #craftspirits #spirits #alcohol #data

Spirits brands, now’s the time to secure your success for 2025! Book a call with Jack Buendia and get a head start with the tools and insights that will make a difference next year.

🚀 When Marketing Minds Collide: A Nostalgic Brainstorm! 🚀 Picture this: Two marketers (Ashli Davis) walk into a bar...not just any bar, mind you its a patio in southern suburbia, but a haven of creativity, strategy, and, of course, a fine selection of wine and charcuterie! 🍇🍷 As the glasses clink and the conversation flows, it's not just about the wine, oh no! It's about the magic that happens when two marketing mavens come together to swap stories, share insights, and sprinkle a dash of brilliance into the mix. 💡✨ From dissecting the latest trends to concocting wild campaigns (fueled by a hint of liquid inspiration, of course), these two are on a mission to shake things up in the marketing world, one sip and bite at a time. 🌪️📈 So here's to the marketers who know that the best brainstorm sessions are held over a glass of wine, coffee or sweet tea, where every idea is a spark! 🚀🍷 #MarketingMagic #WineAndWisdom

When it comes to gifting wine, selecting the perfect gift requires insight and intention. Here’s what you should consider: ✔️Craft your gift by homing in on the recipient’s favored tastes. ✔️Connect your choice to the event. ✔️Go the extra mile. Small wine-based accessories can turn a simple gift into an enduring experience. ✔️Set the stage with the right packaging. ✔️Gifts that support enjoyment, like quality glassware or preservation tools, are invaluable. If you’re keen to perfect the art of wine gifting and leave an indelible mark of care and quality, our latest piece is full of insights. (Click the link in the comments).

Re-Innovating Classics – The Twinkie Story Did you know the iconic Twinkie made its debut in 1930? Fast forward to today, and it's still making waves! The J.M. Smucker Co. Co. has partnered with 7-Eleven to offer a limited-edition cherry-flavored Hostess Twinkie. This new twist on a classic shows that no matter how old your product is, there's always room for innovation. Boy oh boy, I wish my grandparents were around to try these out—Twinkies were their favorite! It's amazing to see how a beloved classic can continue to evolve and bring joy to new generations. Let the story of the Twinkie inspire you to think about how you can bring new life to your own products or ideas, no matter how long they've been around. #Innovation #ProductDevelopment #FoodIndustry #HostessTwinkies #7Eleven #JMSmucker #ClassicToNew #Inspiration #Reinvention

🍺 Who's ready to raise a glass at the Great American Beer Festival this weekend in #Denver? At BinkInc, we believe crafting a brand is just like brewing the perfect beer. Here’s why our Brand Positioning Workshops are basically the GABF of marketing: 1️⃣ Exploring Unique Flavors — Just like you sample crazy brews at GABF, we mix and match brand ideas to find your unique taste. 2️⃣ Taste Before You Decide — Ever taste-test a flight before picking your favorite? We do the same with brand messages to find the perfect blend! 3️⃣ Bringing Experts Together — GABF has the best brewers, and we've got the best brand pros to whip up your perfect identity. 4️⃣ Creating a Lasting Impression — The best beers stay with you long after the festival ends—just like a killer brand should. 5️⃣ Celebrating Craftsmanship — We craft your brand with the same passion that brewers put into their signature sips. #GABF #BrandPositioning #CraftYourBrand #MarketingMagic #branding #b2bmarketing #craftbeer

🍻 Getting a beer in the wrong glass?? 🍻 In the beer industry, the debate over glassware is constant. We invest time and money in making our glassware stand out to attract customers. Bar teams aim to deliver the pints to people's hands as fast as possible, while marketing teams focus on brand presentation. The importance of the right glass versus any glass for the beer is a dilemma. Good bar staff strive to serve beer in the appropriate glass, but what if the right glass is hot? On the marketing end, brand representation is crucial. The pride in the glass should match the brewer's pride in the beer. It can be frustrating for the marketing department to see beer served in another glass. Then you have the sales team that is stuck in the middle. They want to sell sell sell but also know that brand presence will always help with the sell. One thing will always reign supreme though, support your local pub and enjoy a pint. Nothing beats the experience of a pint in a pub setting. 🍺 (note... This photo is a Beavertown glass without a Beavertown beer. Also not a Two Tribes beer, it just got the debate going again!) #BeerIndustry #GlasswareDebate #SupportLocalPubs