Comments for Booze Business

Comment on The Bronfman Enigma by Per Karlsson

Per Karlsson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:24:09 +0000

Arthur – good blog. I just think you’re giving EBJ too much credit as a technology visionary. He got wrapped up in the allure of internet funny money of the late 90′s. Convergence, TIME, media clouds etc. He bet the family fortune on a wet dream without understanding the fundamentals – mobile networks. It would take ten more years for the underlying technology to get up to speed. But I guess it would be good timing to throw some more money into into a similar pit – digital music. Napster, Pirate Bay and others loved it.

Meanwhile, Pernod Ricard (ie Chivas & Martell) is printing money in China. China now accounts for 10% of total PR sales – sounds to me that this would translate into close to USD 1.5 billion. Not to mention India.

- Per Karlsson. Ex Seagram China Schlepper and former President Ericsson Internet Solutions (China).

Comment on New product failures I have known – Old Breed by Doreen Webb

Doreen Webb — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:58:42 +0000

I have a clock with the Old Breed logo on it. I have been trying to figure out when Seagrams made the whiskey but cant find any info. Do you know at least the year so I can roughly age the clock?

Comment on Takeout Food Seagram-style by Mike Spurling

Mike Spurling — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:32:08 +0000

Classic Arthur – larger than life characters for a reason!!!

Comment on Takeout Food Seagram-style by Tony Rodriguez

Tony Rodriguez — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:27:28 +0000

Thanks for recounting these amusing anecdotes. The esteemed marketing gentlemen was known to often utter these famous words: “I am UNDER-snacked” just before diving into the jar of candy in his office on the way to lunch at Shun Lee Palace. Live large, I always say.

Comment on Takeout Food Seagram-style by Arthur

Arthur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:57:06 +0000

One of my readers sent this comment which I thought was hysterical….

Hunger makes executives do strange things. I once saw an associate pick up a roll from a breakfast tray outside someone’s room. I was shocked and said why not get some jam. He said good idea and went back to rummage through the tray.

Arthur

Comment on Management Consulting Firms by Cor t K inker

Cor t K inker — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:23:21 +0000

my experience mirrors yours.

i don’t agree that “if your own people can’t do this then get new people”, unless you are referring to the person that is making the decision to hire the consultant being the person to be replaced. they clearly can’t create an environment of trust, don’t have the leadership, management, emotional intelligence, or awareness to create an environment where the people working there can have their experienced and creative voices heard. but this is a common theme! and not just in the wine and spirits industry.

Comment on Management Consulting Firms by Joan Treistman

Joan Treistman — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:50:21 +0000

Some of my best friends are consultants. Hey, it’s a living.

Comment on Management Consulting Firms by Tom Collins

Tom Collins — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:49:10 +0000

Right on target Arthur. There were several others even before you came on board.

Comment on Seagram’s Gin by Arthur Shapiro

Arthur Shapiro — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:54:19 +0000

A reader shared the following comment with me that I wanted to pass along.
Arthur

…when they launched Gin and Juice in Memphis a salesmen stated that the product would not sell because of the low proof and that consumer wanted higher proof. After further banter Edgar said “One of us is wrong!” and left it at that. Stories go that salesman was immediately relieved of his position.

Comment on Booze Stupidity Down Under by Joan Treistman

Joan Treistman — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:16:18 +0000

Would it be insensitive to say LMAO.