Kalamazoo Beer and CITY Beverage “Unleash the Beast”
Kalamazoo Beer Distributing (KBD) and CITY Beverage have finally started to distribute “the meanest energy drink on the planet,” Monster Energy. The companies are among several select Anheuser-Busch wholesalers nationwide to now distribute the edgy, tasty and popular beverages. With distribution rights acquired through Anheuser-Busch’s agreement with Hansen Beverage, KBD began selling the energy drink in late February, and CITY Beverage began April 1.
With non-alcoholic brands in the portfolio, the Soave wholesalers are able to reach previously untapped markets. Randy Siesser, President of Kalamazoo Beer, says, “The brand’s reception has been exceptional. Bill Vande Giessen, our route salesman for unlicensed accounts (accounts without a liquor license), is doing a fantastic job. He has been cold calling and canvassing completely new venues, such as video stores and health centers. Two months ago, we started with one unlicensed account. Now, we are moving to a new six-bay route truck.”
Mike Rinella, Director of Imports and Specialties for CITY Beverage-Illinois, has had a similarly warm reception to the brand. “CITY has created a new non-alcoholic division to call on 800 accounts within the Arlington Heights district, and 300 each within Chicago and Markham. We are predicting 45% organic growth in the coming year. We will be aquiring more territory in 2007.”
Going forward, Siesser anticipates the brand will sell in excess of 1,500 to 2,000 cases a week. “The team hopes to surpass that volume each day in Illinois. Monster is currently the number two brand in the energy drink market,” he observes. “With its competitive price, distinctive advertising and grassroots marketing efforts, it should become an even greater force.”
“This May, I’m looking forward to introducing a new flavor, Java Monster, to our Illinois accounts. It’s likely to be a ‘wicked mega-hit as well,’” Learn more at www.monsterenergy.com.
Driver Hits the Right Note
Journalists from across the globe gather in Detroit each January for the North American International Auto Show. Each finds something different about the city to report to their hometown readers. Checker Sedan driver Pat Cofield captured the attention of writer Alan Gell with Bumper to Bumper, published by the Texas Auto Media Association.
Cofield impressed her clients not only with her
customer-focused service, but also with her voice. A
gospel singer, Cofield’s first CD was due for release this
spring. Journalist Gell noted that he “was privileged to
receive a sample CD of three of her hymns.” The entire
music review was overwhelmingly positive. Gell goes on
to write that Cofield is “not only powerful in her
performance, but soulful at the same time.” His column
is viewed throughout the state of Texas by two million
readers and also posted on-line at www.carcolumns.net.
Cofield has been performing since she was five years old with her family, The Cofield Family Singers. She has made numerous live appearances on Detroit’s Gospel radio station WCHB, and shared the stage with Sammy Davis Jr. at the 1972 Republican Convention.
Team Soave Challenges Diabetes
So many of our family and friends know someone who has been personally or otherwise touched by diabetes. Detroit’s “Team Soave” is intent on expanding their award winning 2006 effort to fight the disease.
Team Soave is proud to once again sponsor the 2007 Step Out to Fight Diabetes Walk. Our goal for this nationwide campaign is to have a Team Soave presence in every state we do business.
Kristan Williams is working to coordinate team leaders for each state. To learn more, please contact her at: Kristan.Williams@soave.com or 313-567-0125 Ext. 472.
The metropolitan Detroit walk will take place at the Detroit Zoo on October 13, 2007.
To find out more about the Step Out to Fight Diabetes Walk in your area, visit: http://stepout.diabetes.org.
Working together, we can make a difference!
Special achievements deserve special recognition. Hats off to the following for a job well done!
- Eighth grader Tiara Conyers, daughter of MPS Group Executive Assistant Tamara Anderson, won a citywide essay contest during Southfield, Michigan’s Black History Month celebration. Selected from among more than 500 contributions, Tiara’s essay detailed, “How I can be a Pioneer and History Maker in My Community." “I am very, very proud of my daughter’s efforts and accomplishment, as well as her compassion for the less fortunate,” notes Anderson. In addition to several prizes, Tiara was presented a plaque by Southfield’s mayor, state representative, school board and Comcast Representatives.
- Tom Fallucca and
Kathleen McCann were members of the Executive Clown Corps in Detroit’s 2006 America’s Thanksgiving Parade®, one of the oldest and best such parades in the nation.
- During the 30th Annual MAME Awards, Brambleton was honored to win recognition in five significant categories, including the prestigious Community of the Year Award, reports Director of Marketing Kim Adams. The April 12th black tie event was sponsored by the Washington Metropolitan Sales and Marketing Council and the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association. “It’s quite an honor to be selected by a panel of industry peers, and honored before more than 2,000 people,” noted Adams.
- Committed to becoming good neighbors, Parts Galore President Bill Wild and Manager Jackie Harrison have joined the West Warren Business Association. The organization, sponsored by businesses surrounding Parts Galore’s second location, is dedicated to local community improvement.
- Sales Manager Tom DeFacci of CITY Beverage-Markham has joined the Hazel School District 152.5 Strategic Planning Board. As a board member, DeFacci helps map an educational plan and fosters active community involvement in Hazel Crest, Illinois.
- Danica Dagg, daughter of Checker Sedan’s Director of Client Relations
Tim Dagg, recently visited Washington, D.C. as part of the Maumee High School Marching Pride. The band was invited to represent the state of Ohio in the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Parade. While in the capital, Danica was selected to place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “We were all in tears,” confesses her proud father.
