Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113109
P15828- INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Appointments C Rhonda Motil. John Eason. entral Coast winegrower and producer J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines appointed wine industry veteran Rhonda Motil to the position of Senior Marketing Director. Motil joins J. Lohr after ten years as the Executive Director of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA), where she increased membership by over 85%. In her new role at J. Lohr, Motil will work with a core marketing team, which includes VP Marketing Cynthia Lohr in the development and oversight of J. Lohr���s marketing, sponsorship and education programs. John Eason has been appointed to the position of COO, Exec VP at Serrall��s USA, the US operations of Destiler��a Serrall��s of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Previously, he has served the company in the capacity of VP, National Sales Manager, overseeing consistent double-digit growth of the Don Q brand, the successful launch of Caliche Rum in a joint venture with nightlife entrepreneur Rande Gerber and a sales and marketing alliance with Death���s Door Spirits. Eason will now be tasked with developing the Serrall��s USA brand in North America. Eason brings more than 20 years of senior level sales, marketing and managerial expertise, having served in progressively advancing positions crossing all channels of the U.S. with suppliers including Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine USA, Brown-Forman and Daucourt Martin Imports, as well as at the wholesale level with Glazer���s. Relating to Rioja V ibrant Rioja can call four prestigious PR awards for its outstanding 2012 wine education program its own, three speciically honoring the U.S. campaign for excellence in social media. The Bulldog Reporter honored CRT/tanaka, Rioja���s agency of record, with a Gold award for ���Best Use of Digital/Social for a Food/ Beverages/Restaurant Campaign��� and a Silver trophy in the category ���Best Online/Social Media Community of the Year.��� These awards come on the heels of a PR News Digital PR Award for ���Most Engaged/ Online Community��� and a Silver Anvil for ���Integrated Communications ��� Consumer Products.��� 12 / the tasting panel / march 2013 Bright Idea A new ready-to-drink Margarita brand is launching this winter under the name SmarteRita, the brainchild of Kelly Shuman, an entrepreneur in Dallas, TX . ���Skinny Girl did a fabulous job of creating a new category targeting female consumers. We thought there was an opportunity to reach a broader market���including men���that didn���t compromise on taste. SmarteRita is made with premium silver tequila, triple sec, agave syrup and all natural lavors and colors, winning a silver medal at the WSWA tasting competition,��� says Shuman. SmarteRita is available in 750ml and 1.75ml bottles in TX, CO, IL and MN. For more information on distribution and markets, contact Dave Stringfellow, Beacon Beverage,at 214-476-6631 or dave@ beaconbev.com. Good Sports D os Equis is taking the sports-viewing experience to a more interesting level at retail and on-premise with the debut of the Dos Equis Game Changer activation, which runs through March. At retail, the Dos Equis Game Changer program offers engaging POS that inspire customers to create unique game-viewing experiences and share that excitement with friends. On-premise, Dos Equis invites patrons to submit their own version of the television legend lines for a bracket tournament. The best legend lines are selected by the bar staff and showcased on the oficial Most Interesting Bracket Poster. The Most Interesting Legend Line winners earn bragging rights and localized Dos Equis rewards, where legal.