Brand launch and market entry consulting

Launching a spirit is a distribution problem before it is a marketing problem

A good product with a good story still fails if the distributor does not prioritize it, the price lands in the wrong place on the shelf, or the accounts that matter never hear about it. We have helped more than 80 brands launch new and rebranded products into California, New York, Texas and Florida, and the pattern is the same every time: the brands that win understand how the buyer, the distributor and the shelf actually work.

We bring that understanding from the buying side. We have been the account your rep is trying to win.

What we do for brands

• Market entry plan. Which states and channels first, in what order, with what volume expectations, so early wins fund the next stage.
• Distributor strategy. Selecting the right distributor for your size, structuring the relationship, and managing it so your brand does not disappear in a book of thousands.
• Pricing architecture. Building the structure from FOB through distributor to shelf and cocktail price, using live distributor cost data, so every tier has margin and the consumer price lands where it should.
• Retail and on-premise sell-through. What makes a buyer take a new SKU and reorder it: placement, deals, staff education, sampling, and programs that move product rather than decorate a deck.
• Rebrands and relaunches. Re-entering the market with a new label, package or positioning without losing the placements you already have.
• Portfolio and competitive review. Honest assessment of where the brand sits against its category and what the buyer sees when it is presented.
• Allocation and limited-release programs. Designing scarcity that builds demand and account loyalty instead of resentment.

Who this is for

Founders launching a first product, established brands entering new states, importers building a US presence, and brands relaunching after a rebrand or ownership change.

How we engage

Most brand engagements start with a launch or market-entry review and a written plan. Many continue as ongoing advisory as the launch unfolds. We tell you what we think even when it is not what you hoped.