3rd October | Anouska Leon back

RICHMOND & TOWERS EXTENDS WHISKY REMIT WITH BRIEFS FROM THE ENGLISH DISTILLERY AND PICCADILY DISTILLERIES

Richmond & Towers (R&T) has secured briefs from whisky makers based in Norfolk and the foothills of the Himalayas, both of which are looking to leverage the agency’s best in class drinks trade and whisky PR credentials. The 100% employee-owned PR and social agency will provide UK and global communications outreach for a series of forthcoming launches from The English Distillery’s Norfolk distillery, starting this autumn. Meanwhile, Piccadily Distilleries, maker of the much acclaimed Indri Single Malt Indian Whisky, has engaged R&T to help the company build a following among trade and consumer stakeholders in the UK. R&T Consulting Director Simon Mowbray says: “As an agency, we’ve been at the heart of the world of whisky for more than three decades, so this is a great opportunity for us to add to our portfolio and share our experience and expertise with two exciting, ambitious and award-winning whisky makers. “We are excited to get the opportunity to help England’s oldest registered whisky distillery to build and reinforce its reputation and mission to create the country’s finest offering of single malt whiskies for discerning whisky drinkers both in the UK and around the world. “And we cannot wait to start introducing UK trade and consumer audiences to the delights of Indri, India’s pre-eminent range of premium and super-premium whisky.” Katy Nelstrop, Marketing Director, The English Distillery, says: “We have been impressed by R&T’s mix of frank and open counsel, combined with the agency’s clear pedigree in securing coverage in tier one titles across the drinks sphere.” Madhu Kanna, Head of International Sales at Haryana-based Piccadily Distilleries, adds: “We are excited to be working with an agency that has such strong credentials across all the trade and consumer audiences that we want to reach out to. We look forward to working together with R&T to build our presence in this key market and beyond.” R&T’s current roster of drink clients includes Whyte and Mackay (maker of The Dalmore, Fettercairn, Jura and Tamnavulin), as well as Havana Club rum, Altos tequila, St Petroni vermouth, Brooklyn Brewery and Westons Cider.

13th April | Anouska Leon back

Funkin Cocktails appoints Richmond & Towers to shake up B2B comms

AG Barr’s FUNKIN COCKTAILS appoints food and drink specialist, Richmond & Towers (R&T). The employee-owned PR and social agency will oversee all UK trade communications for FUNKIN across its on and off trade channels. This will communicate the simplicity of the brand’s range of ready to drink nitro cocktails, mixers and purees to bartenders, and support the brand’s grocery retail listings by targeting supermarket buyers and convenience store owners. R&T CEO, Nikki Thomson says: “We’re incredibly excited to partner with FUNKIN and help them shake up their approach to B2B comms for 2023. Already the biggest brand in cocktails, the team has got huge growth ambitions for the year ahead and we’re delighted to be supporting them in their mission to democratise this category.” Ben Anderson, Marketing Director at FUNKIN COCKTAILS adds: “With R&T’s reputation for smart, strategic B2B PR campaigns, plus the clear passion for the drinks industry that emanates from the team, we’re confident they’re the right agency to help give our brand greater prominence across the on and off trade. “While cocktails are more popular than ever, they’re not always perceived to be accessible to everyone. With R&T’s help, we’ll be challenging this and showing decision-makers operating pubs, bars and convenience stores, that FUNKIN is the brand to help them serve up success.” R&T’s current roster of food and drink accounts includes Pukka, Westons Cider and Brooklyn Brewery.

6th March | Anouska Leon back

R&T Bolsters Brooklyn Brewery work with social win

Brand engagement agency R&T (Richmond & Towers) has been appointed by Brooklyn Brewery to oversee its social media presence in the UK. Following on from a successful year of leading UK PR for Brooklyn Brewery – which saw the launch of its new pilsner – R&T has won the brand’s social media remit, integrating PR and social workstreams under one roof. Adding to its creative consumer and trade PR campaigns, R&T now leads the charge on social media strategy, content creation and influencer marketing for Brooklyn Brewery, which is set to continue driving awareness, further build brand equity, and encourage trial for the beer brand. R&T adds Brooklyn Brewery social media to its growing portfolio of CMBC brands (Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company), of which the agency has worked with for more than five years. R&T’s Managing Director, Matt de Leon says: “Since kicking off our first PR campaign for Brooklyn Brewery last year we’ve been busy getting ‘flavourful explorers’ to embrace the ‘Brooklyn State of Mind’, and it’s fair to say we’ve loved every minute.

“Launching Brooklyn Pilsner in the UK, we quite literally painted the town yellow by unveiling the first ever mural using beer-infused paint, paying homage to the distinct, creative vibrancy of Brooklyn. There was no better place to bring this to life than the bricks of Brixton – which is twinned with the NYC borough of Brooklyn – and we were thrilled with the buzz from media and consumers alike, achieving more than 150+ pieces of coverage and helping secure major listings across the retailers and hospitality sector. “Now, integrating digital further into our annual plan, we’re excited to get audiences fully embracing ‘Brooklyn grit’, by bringing strong ties to community, creativity, sub-culture, diversity, expression and authenticity – showing them exactly what Brooklyn Brewery stands for, in a highly engaging way”. Grace Neal, Brooklyn Brewery Senior Brand Manager, adds: “R&T has well and truly demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment in bringing the Brooklyn State of Mind to life in the UK. We’re really impressed by the team’s strategic and creative approach so it makes complete sense to bring together our PR and social under one roof so that we can achieve a truly integrated plan that will make even more impact amongst our audience”.