Page 40 - The Summit of the Americas 2021

INSIDER

to move forward rather than backwards. cruise lines, the Caribbean basin and select tise, and love and know our industry.”
The Constellation portfolio gave us that Central American markets, effective im- And now WEBB Banks is adding
additional critical mass. It made all the dif- mediately. another experienced travel retail name to
ference,” says Consuegra. Under the agreement, WEBB Banks its team.
“We have Constellation’s entire wines will exclusively distribute and represent Beginning May 1, Curran Welch
and spirits portfolio for the Caribbean, and Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Temple- Zinn, well known from her long tenure at
are focused on Constellation’s strategy ton Rye American Whiskey, Zaya Rum Alexander James & Co., is joining WEBB
of premiumized brands. We are coming as well as the ultra-luxury brand Tears of Banks as Key Accounts Director.
in with Robert Mondavi Woodbridge and Llorona Tequila through their existing route “We are preempting the return of the
moving up from there. Their spirits portfo- to market. cruise industry, hiring a specific person to
lio is good and getting stronger with brands Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey help us with that market,” says Castellvi.
like Svedka, Casa Noble, and High West,” has been an enormous success since it was WEBB Banks will be shuffling a few
says Jarrell. launched in 2018. Earlier this year it was more roles in the coming months as the
“But they are really exploding the pre- named Best New Product at 2020’s Market company launches an exciting new division
mium side of their wine portfolio, focusing Watch Leaders Awards, voted on by over for wellness, says Consuegra.
on Meiomi, and growing Kim Crawford 200 active leaders in the alcoholic beverage “Jose today is running travel retail
and the Prisoner Wine Company, and some industry. In early 2020, Beverage Informa- and all the spirits brands for marketing.
other new product developments. It is just tion & Insights Group named Skrewball He’ll take on more responsibility and by
a really fun, consumer friendly portfolio,” Peanut Butter Whiskey one of the fastest summer will run all of WEBB Banks,”
he says. growing whiskey brands. Skrewball sold says Consuegra. “Phillip Jarell will run a
“A big wine brand that did really more than 700,000 cases in 2020, just its new wellness division that WEBB Banks is
well last year is 19 Crimes, which was up third year in existence. launching in May. I will still be overseeing
around 25%. We also launched at the end WhistlePig Rye Whiskey has been everything, and am going on the board of
of last year 19 Crimes Cali Red by Snoop another success story since it joined the Ghost Tequila.”
Dog, with a Rosé launching now. We were portfolio last year, says Consuegra. WEBB The new roles and responsibilities will
up on 19 Crimes ahead of the launch of Banks distributes the brand in the Carib- reaffirm WEBB Banks’ commitment to the
Snoop Dog, and that’s been a tremendous bean, Central America, and travel retail. region and further strengthen its position,
success,” says Consuegra. explains Castellvi.
“We also launched, in addition to Experienced team is key “Our focus is still on our main sup-
Penfolds from Australia, Penfolds from Consuegra is full of pride for how his pliers. We are constantly investing in the
California. Caymus is another big brand, WEBB Banks team dealt with the trials of business. As we take on large new brands
which we continue to do really well with.” the past year. we are adding people. At the end of the
“When you have the right team and day it is about scale and we have said that
Exciting new spirits they can step up and walk right into ad- from day one. You have to be important to
WEBB Banks’ portfolio is split almost versity, I have so much pride for them and the customers, whether it is the duty free
evenly between wines and spirits. what they were able to do last year. I have operators, cruise lines, in-market whole-
In January, WEBB Banks signed an so much admiration for them. They were salers, or retailers,” says Castellvi. “The
agreement with California-based distribu- always so positive, and were filled with other thing that set us apart last year is our
tor Infinium Spirits to distribute its spirits energy and focus,” says Consuegra. cash flow management, which allowed the
portfolio in travel retail in the Americas, “Our team has experience and exper- company to come out strong.”
The Virtual Summit of the Americas Issue April 2021 40