An LCBO store in TorontoPhoto: Aaron Lynett/National Post
House cleaning, a.k.a. skimming the fat from the stock seems to be on Rob Ford’s Toronto city hall agenda as staffers continue to resign and be dismissed of their duties. Premier Kathleen Wynne says “I am worried about the situation at Toronto City Hall and as appropriate, we will be involved”. Meanwhile, the provincial liquor monopoly continues to roll along. On Wednesday night, May 29th the LCBO held their “Elsies,” an awards event held annually to honour its suppliers and agents for their innovation, creativity and commitment to customer service and social responsibility. The Elsies, a play on “LCBO,” is an annual industry awards program now in its 19th year.
“The Elsies are an important recognition of LCBO suppliers and agents who have excelled at product marketing,” said Shari Mogk-Edwards, vice-president, Products, Sales and Merchandising, and co-chair of the Elsies. “These winners have been great partners of the LCBO in creating opportunities for consumers to discover new and interesting beverage alcohol products.”
Congratulations to all the deserving recipients. Big shout out to Curtis and Heidi Fielding, winemaker Richie Roberts and the entire Fielding Estate team for their VQA Excellence Award. Also, kudos to Hilary Dawson, Magdalena Kaiser-Smit and their team at the Wine Council of Ontario for being honoured with the Partnership (WOW Leader) in Training Award. Here are the 27 Elsie Award Recipients for 2013.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Diageo Canada Inc. – Guinness Canada #TAXI
BEST SPECIAL EVENT: Labatt Breweries of Canada – Beer Discovery Project BEST VINTAGES ON-PREMISE COLLABORATION: Lifford Agencies – Lifford Portfolio Tasting at Wychwood Barns
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT: Miguel Torres SA BEST FOOD&DRINK AD: Corby Distilleries Limited – Absolut BEST GIFT ITEM: Mill Street Brewery – Mill Street Celebration Sampler Pack BEST NICHE MARKETING: Diageo Canada – Johnny Walker, Chinese New Year VQA EXCELLENCE AWARD: Fielding Estate Winery VINTAGES PORTFOLIO AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Profile Wine Group BEST IN-STORE TASTING PROGRAM: Andrew Peller Limited
BEST INTEGRATED MARKETING PROGRAM: Forty Creek Distillery Ltd. – Support of Forty Creek Barrel Select and their growing family of brands BEST VINTAGES EVENT: Charton-Hobbs Inc. – Dom Perignon Reception and Dinner
BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Forty Creek Distillery Ltd. – Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: WINES: Andrew Peller Limited – Skinny Grape BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: BEERS: Carlsberg Canada Inc.- Somersby Cider PARTNERSHIP AWARD – PRODUCT FLOW: Samarie Lumsden – Corby Distilleries Limited PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING AWARD: Wine Council of Ontario – WOW Leader Program PARTNERSHIP AWARD: VINTAGES: Rick Slomka – Wines of California PARTNERSHIP AWARD: BEERS: Taras Hetmanczuk – Molson Coors Canada PARTNERSHIP AWARD: WINES: Philip Mirabelli – Noble Estates Wines & Spirits PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Ryan McCue – Diageo Canada Inc. PARTNERSHIP AWARD: RETAIL: Linda Belsey – Forty Creek Distillery Ltd.
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SUPPLY CHAIN: E. & J. Gallo Winery Canada Ltd. SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Doug Beatty AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: CLASS C: Keep6 Imports AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: CLASS B: Mill Street Brewery AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: CLASS A: Forty Creek Distillery Ltd.
Good to go!
Godello 