International drinks group, Quintessential Brands, has acquired Marblehead, the UK-based brand development and distribution company. Marblehead and Quintessential Brands have operated as partners since July 2013. The acquisition ensures Marblehead’s continued success as an agency with a portfolio of premium brands, distributed via its well-established network in the on-trade and prestige off-trade.
Marblehead’s recent portfolio additions include Ypióca Cachaça, owned by Diageo, Don Papa Rum and Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur. In addition, the Quintessential Brands-owned gin portfolio, which includes Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin, Berkeley Square London Dry Gin and BLOOM Gin which is distributed by Marblehead in the off-trade, has created significant growth in the last twelve months for Marblehead, as well as for the gin category as a whole. Marblehead will continue to retain its mantel as the UK’s leading brand development agency working with independent brands and their owners including John Cooper and The Bleeding Heart Rum Company’s Stephen Carroll, amongst others.
Quintessential Brands co-founder, Warren Scott says: “Quintessential Brands’ acquisition assures Marblehead of an exciting future and brings a highly respected brand development agency into our group of companies. Marblehead’s acquisition is part of our strategy to become one of the leading European independent players in the spirits industry.”
Emma Wykes will continue as managing director of Marblehead, supported by general sales manager, Elliott Clark and their team based throughout the UK. The Marblehead team has expanded with the appointment of three new specialists, all with drinks industry experience. Tom Gamborg has joined as marketing manager and has agency facing experience with the Diageo Reserve Brands portfolio in South Africa and more recently successfully launched Black Cow in the UK.
Kathryn Birch has wide experience in brand education and mixology and Adam Wright joins with recent experience working at Thwaites and Coca Cola. Both have joined the London sales team as brand specialists, looking after sales to the on and off trade.
Quintessential Brands was founded by Enzo Visone and Warren Scott and the group includes the companies G&J Distillers, the distilling and bottling division, Essential Drinks, the business to business supply division, First Ireland Spirits and Marblehead Brand Development.
