Need we remind you, after a couple of unsettled years due to the pandemic, 2022 was the year that the world opened back up properly and it was “business as usual” for the hospitality and retail industries.
From in-person experiences to bringing on new brands, it’s been a jam packed year for bbb drinks.
As we approach the end of the year, we asked the team to reflect on their highlights from 2022 and share a sneak peek of what they’re working on in 2023.
Phil (bbb drinks Founder / New Business Development)
2022 highlights
It was a great achievement to get Brooklyn Gin into our portfolio. As a smaller business with a lower headcount, we were a very different company from their previous distribution partners, Hi Spirits. However, we really connected with the Brooklyn Gin team and they felt that we were a good fit for taking the brand forward.
The other highlight was seeing the 44° Gin and 06 Vodka rosé activation with the Aubaine Restaurant group. It was fantastic to see the brand getting such good coverage in the centre of Covent Garden Plaza and exceed the sales forecast by 25%! Click here to read the case study.
What I’m looking forward to in 2023
I’m looking forward to announcing some great new brands that we’ll be working with and evolving our offer to service a wider range of companies. Watch this space.
Lee (Sales Director)
2022 highlights
My highlights are on both sides of the business. From a bbb drinks client side, adding Copalli Organic Rum and Brooklyn Gin to our portfolio of fantastic brands (Manly Spirits, Inverroche, Comte de Grasse to name a few) has added great value to the bbb drinks collective.
From a business performance standpoint (speaking as of end November) we are up on volume from 2021, which is no mean feat given the challenging trading conditions across the industry.
What I’m looking forward to in 2023
Broadening the bbb drinks portfolio into new categories. Specifically, we are looking at Cognac, Whisky and Tequila as key additions.
From a sales perspective, we have our plans in place and I’m looking forward to seeing the team execute them to drive our client’s sales and bbb revenues towards our growth targets.
Charlie (Marketing Director)
2022 highlights
Expanding the brand marketing side of the business was a personal highlight! Having Charlotte Besley come on board has increased our capacity meaning we’re even more organised and professional. I think the on-trade sales team has also benefited from her support in organising events, activations and menus. The Brooklyn Gin on-trade launch event is a case in point. Click here to read the case study.
What I’m looking forward to in 2023
Growing bbb’s account base in new whisky retailers. It’s exciting having Coastal Stone whisky in the collective as this gives us new specialist retailers to start working with.
Charlotte (Brand & Marketing Manager)
2022 highlights
My top highlight of 2022 was landing this job at bbb drinks which I started in July. From organising branded events, to creating social media content, it’s a very diverse role and so rewarding to be increasing awareness of the incredible spirits brands we provide UK distribution and marketing services for.
I am also a very sociable person and love any opportunity to meet new people, so another highlight would be hosting top bartenders at a sailing regatta in Southampton for our clients, Comte de Grasse (distillers of 44° Gin and 06 Vodka rosé). Not only was it a great day out with lovely people, but we also won a race!
What I’m looking forward to in 2023
As the UK marketing representative for a number of our brands, it is so important for me to have a good relationship with their teams and have an in-depth understanding of their heritage, values and processes.
Next year, I am looking forward to being immersed in our brand partners’ stories by having the opportunity to travel to their distilleries around the world and meet the people behind the bottle.
David (Sales Manager)
2022 highlights
There have been so many beautiful openings and so many fantastic menus to pick one single highlight from 2022 but it has been a pleasure to host a friendly, attentive and dedicated group of bartenders at each of our Inquisitive Drinks sessions throughout the year. Giving our brands the opportunity to tell their story first hand, directly to the industry is an absolute honour!
What I’m looking forward to in 2023
The bbb collective continuing to grow is always exciting and there are already some interesting projects in the pipeline which it would be rude of me to reveal this side of Christmas!
Jamie (London Account Manager)
2022 highlights
I have so many highlights from 2022, it’s difficult to narrow them down, but a few include organising Inverroche gin & jazz evenings at Coupette (#18 on Top 50 Cocktail Bars), serving Manly Spirits at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in partnership with House of Oz and launching the Copalli Rum Club at Trailer Happiness (#21 on Top 50 Cocktail Bars). My biggest achievement however was securing “Flavour Of The Month” in October for our brand partners Inverroche across The Cocktail Club estate. This included a bespoke cocktail creation “Witches Brew” that included Inverroche Amber gin and featured on their seasonal cocktail menu.
What I’m looking forward to in 2023
Continuing to work with The Cocktail Club and their infectious passion for hospitality. As well as partnering with more amazing groups and independent venues.
Mario (Manly Spirits Brand Ambassador)
2022 highlights
2022 was my first year with bbb drinks and I am proud that I landed a must-stock deal at Raffles, Chelsea. It was also great to partner up with Raffles to serve Manly Spirits from their stand at the Savour Festival! These activations mean that we are taking the Raffles team to the Manly Spirits distillery in Australia as part of our incentive programme (click here for more information about our sales incentives).
In 2022, I also secured a listing at The Ned Hotel with Manly Spirits being served in all the bars. Manly Spirits will also be their “Gin of the Month” in January to coincide with Australia Day on 26th January.
What I’m looking forward to in 2023
I have been working hard to build relationships with some of London’s top on-trade venues including the Savoy, the Ritz and Daisy Green. I look forward to working with them more in 2023.
Outside of work, I’m very passionate about the environment and sustainability so have been tasked with driving the sustainability agenda at bbb drinks. I can’t wait to get stuck in and share more information about what we’re doing as a company in 2023.
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