Senior Brand Manager at American Vintage Beverage Company
Greater Denver Area
- Current
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- Senior Brand Manager at American Vintage Beverage Company
- Past
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- Vice President of Marketing at Flying Dog Brewery
- Marketing Director at Pabst Brewing Company
- Brand Manager at Pabst Brewing Company
- Promotions Coordinator at St. Louis Union Station (Rouse Company)
- Education
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- Southeast Missouri State University
- Recommended
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5 people have recommended Neal - Connections
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118
connections
- Industry
- Food & Beverages
- Websites
Neal Stewart’s Summary
My real career starter in 2000 when I quit my job in St, Louis and moved to Austin, TX on a whim. After an exhausting job search, I ended up getting a job in the Marketing Department at Pabst Brewing Company. Due to a ton of turnover, I literally worked on just about every single brand in the company's 45 brand portfolio. The only ones I didn't touch were the ones that had absolutely NO budget.
As the Pabst Blue Ribbon brand manager, I implemented marketing strategy focused on initiating word of mouth and loyalty with influential consumers by supporting grass-roots and subculture events. As a result, in 2002 PBR’s volume increased for the first time in 23 years and eventually increased volume 45% from 2002 - 2006.
I also managed Rainier Beer, a regional brand based in the Northwest. Rainier had been kicked around and abused for years and was especially hurt when it closed its brewery in Seattle in the late 90's. With the help of a great agency (Cole & Weber) we launched an innovative campaign that was recognized with several advertising and marketing industry awards.
In 2006, I moved over to the Craft Beer side and am now the Director of Marketing for Flying Dog Brewery in Denver, CO. Flying Dog has been recognized within the beer industry as a brewer who is embracing Web 2.0 technology and leveraging it for increased exposure. We have also redesigned the packaging to further leverage our association with the Gonzo Artist, Ralph Steadman, whose unique illustrations are on all of our labels.
In 2004 I was recognized by Fast Company as one of the “Fast 50” and was named to the Event Marketer Magazine’s 2005 “Dream Team”.
Neal Stewart’s Specialties:
buzz/viral marketing, strategic planning, brand planning, budgeting, agency management, creative concepting, field marketing, on-premise promotions, web 2.0 marketing, blogging, social networking, event marketing, branded entertainment, public relations, media planning, mobile marketing, packaging design, product launch, digital marketing, turkey sandwiches, go-karts, beer
Neal Stewart’s Experience
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Senior Brand Manager
American Vintage Beverage Company
(Food & Beverages industry)
June 2009 — Present (6 months)
Managing the launch of the Tribeca Light brand which includes a bunch of responsibilities that I don't feel like dropping in here right now.
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Vice President of Marketing
Flying Dog Brewery
(Privately Held; Food & Beverages industry)
March 2006 — June 2009 (3 years 4 months)
-Collaborating with the rest of the Exec Team to write and then implement the Marketing strategy
-Recommending and launching new brands, styles and SKUs to reach and maximize profit and volume goals
-Concepting and approving packaging design
-Work with purchasing and production to manage packaging material inventories and packaging dates
-Portfolio manangement, public relations, advertising, event marketing, website/online marketing, POS, etc.
-Currently implementing a web 2.0 initiative to build consumer awareness and improve brand image among heavy category users
-Direct online and offline merchandise sales (currently growing at +100% vs. LY)
-Helped drive 75% growth in the last three years -
Marketing Director
Pabst Brewing Company
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Food & Beverages industry)
November 2004 — February 2006 (1 year 4 months)
Promoted to Marketing Director due to proven success in brand management role. Shortly after promotion, was appointed top position within the department, reporting to CEO and eventually resulting in eight direct reports. Accountable for the allocation, implementation and execution the company’s $20MM+ marketing budget and provide senior management with portfolio management analysis, recommendations and insights that steer the overall company strategy.
IMPACT: Successfully facilitated and streamlined company’s brand planning process through a senior management (CEO) change while aligning key stakeholders on corporate strategy.
•Managed and supervised the entire Marketing Department, including Brand Management, Marketing Services, Media as well as a staff of 20 Brand Ambassadors
-Conducted training and marketing workshops for all brand marketers
-Conducted all departmental hiring and employee reviews and made organizational recommendations -
Brand Manager
Pabst Brewing Company
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Food & Beverages industry)
August 2000 — November 2004 (4 years 4 months)
•IMPACT: Created and managed a field marketing program with eight Brand Ambassadors that increased on-premise volume by over 40% in both 2003 and 2004 and championed the re-branding campaign of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer which was featured as the “Marketing of No Marketing” in the New York Times Sunday Magazine (6/22/03) resulting in three consecutive years of growth on Pabst Blue Ribbon brand for the first time since 1978
-New strategy resulted in reversing double-digit losses to +8% growth in brand’s key market
-Interviewed and hired agency of record who produced award-winning “RainierVision”
•Acted as company and Pabst Blue Ribbon brand spokesperson for all media inquiries
•Tracked, analyzed and communicated business performance to senior management, utilizing syndicated data (IRI), shipment data and wholesaler depletions
•Wrote and presented brand plans and results to sr. mgmt. and distributors
•Featured in Fast Company as one of 2004’s “Fast 50” innovative business leaders -
Promotions Coordinator
St. Louis Union Station (Rouse Company)
(Food & Beverages industry)
1995 — 1997 (2 years )
Neal Stewart’s Education
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Southeast Missouri State University
BA , Mass Communication/Advertising , 1991 — 1995
- Activities and Societies:
- Theta Xi Fraternity
Additional Information
Neal Stewart’s Websites:
Neal Stewart’s Interests:
tennis, computers, beer, marketing
Neal Stewart’s Groups:
Presenting Speaker - Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) 2007, Craft Brewers Conference 2008
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Theta Xi Alumni National Network
Neal Stewart’s Honors:
Best in Show – 2004 AdAge “Battle of the Brands” for “RainierVision”
Gold Award for Hybrid Campaign – 2004 Art Directors Club of New York for “RainierVision”
Yahoo! Big Idea Chair Award – 2004 Art Directors Club of New York for “RainierVision”
Best in Show – 2004 Northwest and National Addy Advertising Award for “RainierVision”
Gold Award – 2004 CLIO for “Into Thin R” Episode of RainierVision
2004 Fast 50 - Fast Company Magazine
2004 Event Marketing Dream Team - Event Marketer Magazine
Finalist – 2004 Promo Magazine ProAwards Best Campaign Driving Brand Volume for Pabst
Event Marketer Magazine Top 25 Brand Sponsorship Programs of 2004 for Pabst Blue Ribbon
Presenting Speaker – Portland Advertising Federation, 2004 Future Trends Conference and 2005 Branded Entertainment Summit, Word of Mouth Marketing Summit
Neal Stewart’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
