US. In a bid to maximise the potential of its super-premium wine and spirits brands in the US, Moët Hennessy – the wine and spirits group of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton – has announced the creation of Moët Hennessy USA to combine the expertise, brand portfolios, sales and marketing networks of Schieffelin & Co, Clicquot, and Millennium Import.
From now on, Moët Hennessy USA will be the only sales and marketing company in the US representing the group’s internationally-renowned portfolio of brands, including: Hennessy Cognac; Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart Champagnes; Belvedere and Chopin vodkas; Green Point, Terrazas de los Andes, Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay and Newton Vineyard, Domaine Chandon California, sparkling and still wines.
Moët Hennessy USA will also continue to sell and market certain brands not owned by the group, including Grand Marnier/Navan, and Casa Lapostolle, as well as the Clicquot agency wines.
This significant development builds upon several strategic initiatives Moët Hennessy has undertaken to strengthen its global distribution network. For example, from 2002 to 2004, Moët Hennessy teamed up with Diageo to implement their Next Generation Growth (NGG) strategy, realigning the distribution of their brands in the US.
Headquartered in New York City, Moët Hennessy USA will employ about 220 people dedicated to the Moët Hennessy luxury wines and spirits brand portfolio.
The new company will be led by John Esposito, who takes the title President and CEO. Esposito was previously President and CEO of Schieffelin & Co.
Mireille Guiliano remains President and CEO of Clicquot; Edward J. Phillips remains Chairman of Millennium Import. Stephen Gill remains President and becomes CEO of the Millennium Maison.
President of Moët Hennessy and Executive Committee Member of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Christophe Navarre commented: “By combining our three sales and marketing companies in the US, Moët Hennessy USA will be able to maximize the potential of our luxury brand portfolio of wines and spirits, which generates over US$1 billion in revenues annually.”
Under Esposito’s leadership, Moët Hennessy USA will focus on driving the growth of its super-premium brands by advancing a value strategy, rather than focusing solely on volume.
Esposito added: “By maximizing efficiencies and capitalizing on the best practices of each company, Moët Hennessy USA will be well positioned to lead the rapidly growing super-premium segment of the US wine and spirits business.
“We remain committed to our strong alliance with Diageo through our NGG distributors and we will be reaching out to our customers to let them know how today’s strategic consolidation will enable us to better meet their needs.”
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