Michael Wangbickler

Current

Executive Director at Academy of Wine Communications
Account Manager at Benovia Winery
PR Account Manager at Balzac Communications & Marketing

see less...

Past

Tasting Room Manager at Tasting on Main
Hospitality Program Specialist at Icon Estates
Manager, Marketing Communications at Dorado

Manager, Marketing Communications at Holontech Corporation
Marketing Coordinator at 3Com

see less...

2 more...

Education

Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET)
Michigan State University

Recommended

3 people have recommended Michael

Connections

177 connections

Industry

Wine and Spirits

Websites

Michael Wangbickler’s Summary

As a wine marketing/public relations professional, my goal is to bring the world of wine just a little bit closer to the average consumer. To accomplish this, I promote the wines of a number of different wine companies from around the world to journalists, trade, and consumers. I also teach about wine and judge wine competitions whenever I get the chance.

Michael Wangbickler’s Specialties:

Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in Wine & Spirits, 15 years of experience in developing and executing strategic marketing programs and public relations campaigns

Michael Wangbickler’s Experience

Executive Director

Academy of Wine Communications

(Wine and Spirits industry)

January 2009 — Present (7 months)

The Academy of Wine Communications, the organization of wine public relations and marketing professionals, is broadening and refocusing its mission to reflect the changing nature of wine communications. I have been named as Executive Director and am responsible for reviving the association, expanding its scope, and growing its membership
Account Manager

Benovia Winery

(Privately Held; Wine and Spirits industry)

May 2008 — Present (1 year 3 months)
PR Account Manager

Balzac Communications & Marketing

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Wine and Spirits industry)

April 2004 — Present (5 years 4 months)

Execute focused public relations plans for key wine brands.

Measurably grow awareness of each brand among media, trade, and consumers.

Pitch stories on various wine brands to wine, consumer, lifestyle, food and travel media to secure national, regional and local coverage.

Collaborate with winemakers and local sales and/or distributor reps to target key media and secure interviews/meetings.

Assist in development and execution of public relations driven events.

Conceive and compose compelling written materials, including press kits, press releases, product fact sheets, sell sheets, pitch letters, invitations, newsletters, and whitepapers.

Represent clients and act as host to media and consumers for various events such as winery events, winemaker dinners, educational seminars, and meetings with winemakers and media.
Tasting Room Manager

Tasting on Main

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Wine and Spirits industry)

October 2003 — April 2004 (7 months)

Directed the day-to-day operations of the tasting room, such as managing budgets, opening and closing, determining wine flights, stocking inventory, and managing staff.

Initiated an outreach marketing program to wineries, restaurants, and inns which resulted in driving more traffic to the tasting room.

Managed all public relations activities, which involved writing press releases and conducting outreach and briefings with trade and business press.

Created curriculum for and taught wine tasting classes to consumers.

Designed, implemented, and maintained company web site.
Hospitality Program Specialist

Icon Estates

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Wine and Spirits industry)

March 2001 — October 2003 (2 years 8 months)

Created and evaluated wine curriculum to educate guests, both trade and consumer, in areas such as sensory evaluation, food & wine pairing, viticulture, and vinification.

Conducted educational tours at multiple winery and vineyard locations for distributors, retailers, and restaurateurs, on company history and philosophy, product specifics, and general wine practices.

Developed programs to assist in the more effective functioning of the department, such as operating procedures, employee training, educational curriculum, and record keeping systems.

Managed the scheduling, logistics, and implementation of visits by distributors and other large groups to the winery.

Organized and supervised food and beverage service for day-to-day meals, as well as special events at the winery, such as Cabernet Day, Sommelier Summit, Premiere Napa Valley, Napa Valley Wine Auction, and Quintessa Council.
Manager, Marketing Communications

Dorado

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Software industry)

January 2000 — June 2001 (1 year 6 months)
Manager, Marketing Communications

Holontech Corporation

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Networking industry)

September 1997 — January 2000 (2 years 5 months)
Marketing Coordinator

3Com

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; COMS; Computer Networking industry)

October 1993 — April 1997 (3 years 7 months)

Michael Wangbickler’s Education

Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET)

Diploma , Wine & Spirits , 2004 — 2006
Michigan State University

1989 — 1993

Additional Information

Michael Wangbickler’s Websites:

Michael Wangbickler’s Interests:

wine public relations, wine marketing, social media, best practices, wine education

Michael Wangbickler’s Groups:

Institute of Wine & Spirits, Society of Wine Educators, Academy of Wine Communications

Winefellow
Wines & Spirits (Number 1 W&S group on Linked)
Fine Wine drinkers
Wine Business Network
Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales, Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators
Rippentrop's Wine, Spirits, Beer & Other Beverage Professionals, #1 Adult Beverage Group
Tweeple
WINE - Wine Industry Networking Executives
Public Relations and Communications Professionals
Wine2.0
WITS Wine Industry Technology Symposium
HARO--Help A Reporter Out
Wine Connections
Wine Professionals Group
Direct to Consumer Symposium
Society of Wine Educators
Wine Pro
Academy of Wine Communications
World's Best Sommeliers and Wine Writers
Vintage Wines