Chairman of the LMG Board, Wayne Bayfield, announced on October 13 that the group’s CEO and Executive Director, Doug Misener, had given his resignation to the board. Misener’s resignation will be effective from the end of November this year and the group has already appointed Finance Director, Gavin Saunders, to take over Misener’s role when he leaves. Saunders has been with LMG since 2012 and was part of the negotiations ...

Hahn SuperDry has just unveiled its latest campaign entitled ‘Never Settle’, coaxing consumers from their “comfort zone” and establishing a true brand meaning for Hahn. The multi-million dollar campaign will convey inspirational messages to drive home the idea that one’s routine of comfort should not rob them of what life has to offer. The campaign will be one of Hahn’s largest ever, looking bolster the consumer experience with a significant ...

The Liquor Stores Association NSW & ACT and the Australian Liquor Stores Association’s campaign against the proposed increase to licensing fees in the ACT has been a success. The campaign ended this week with ACT Labor committing to significantly lower increases to the state’s liquor licensing fees. The party also agreed to maintain its policy position on liquor licensing fees until the end of the next term. Both of these commitments will apply ...

Australia’s leading online liquor retailer, Mybottleshop.com.au, is set to go public with a listing on the ASX. The online-only store was established in 2013 to meet the increasing need for specialty products not found in traditional bottle shops. The store has already experienced substantial growth in its short three years, reaching almost $5 million dollars in retail sales last year alone. Mybottleshop.com.au states a commitment to “sourcing the most luxurious ...

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) extended its distribution agreement with Molson Coors this week, agreeing to also manage the American brewer’s new Miller Genuine Draft (MGD) and Miller Chill beers in Australia. The two beers will join Molson Coors’ Coors Light and Blue Moon brands in Australia, which have been managed by CCA since 2013. CCA’s Managing Director of Alcohol and Coffee, Shane Richardson said, “This new agreement deepens our existing relationship ...

On a recent trip to Australia to announce the winners of the prestigious Vin de Champagne Awards, Thibaut Le Mailloux, Communications Director of Comité Interprofessionnel duVin de Champagne (CIVC), spoke with drinks bulletin about the future of Champagne in Australia. CIVC is the official association for grape growers and houses in Champagne and Thibaut is one of the most qualified individuals to talk about the appellation. drinks bulletin asked Thibaut about the opportunities to grow Australia’s ...

It seemed a win for winemakers when the proposed ‘backpacker tax’ rate was slashed from 32.5 per cent to 19 per cent last month. The rate was set to apply to Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visa holders as of 1 January 2017. However, a statement from the Office of the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP has revealed that the passage of the Bill to resolve the backpacker tax has been held ...

A new report released by IBISWorld this week, predicts that alcohol consumption in Australia will reach an all-time low in 2016-17. Researchers are estimating figures that will put consumption at the lowest it’s been in the last 50 years. Alcohol consumption in Australia has been consistently declining over the last few years. Now, IBISWorld expects per capita alcohol consumption will decrease by a further 0.8 per cent over 2016-17, to 9.37 litres ...

Gage Roads Brewing Co. has raised $8.5 million (before costs) and will now buy back Woolworths Limited’s shares in the company, cancelling Woolworths’ 23.5 per cent stake. Woolworths has been a major shareholder of Gage Roads since 2009, providing production, supply and distribution to the company, as well as access to up to 25 per cent of Australia’s total beer market. The buy-back is part of the Company’s five-year ‘Returning ...

Bacardi has launched a new campaign that supports Australia’s nightlife and its key cultural influencers. Through a series of events in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne and a three-part video series, the brand will challenge the issues the industry is currently facing by showcasing the positive side of Australia’s nightlife. Between October and December this year, Bacardi will partner with some of Australia’s best nightlife entertainment to create three of the biggest ...