The sort of operation you might think would sell BuzzBallz: Smaller and more willing to set responsibility aside to make a few extra bucks Our previous article awarded BuzzBallz the "Marketing Alcohol Irresponsibly to Millions" (M.A.I.M.) distinction. One reader expressed chagrin at those who would profit from such an unseemly brand. Said this Twitter follower, "Who would sell this product?" He implied that only small, shady, fringe operations would dare be so greedy as to look the other way to profit from the irresponsibility inherent in BuzzBallz.
Turns out, it's not just small guys who are bringing BuzzBallz to the street.
Size matters
Southern Wine & Spirits is the largest alcohol-beverage distributor in the world, and in the top-ten of the largest alcohol-revenue companies overall. Its revenues from alcohol exceed $9 billion annually, three times the size of (Jim) Beam Brands, and larger than brewer Molson Coors. Many think of SWS as the class of the industry.
Turns out, it's not just small guys who are bringing BuzzBallz to the street.
Size matters
Southern Wine & Spirits is the largest alcohol-beverage distributor in the world, and in the top-ten of the largest alcohol-revenue companies overall. Its revenues from alcohol exceed $9 billion annually, three times the size of (Jim) Beam Brands, and larger than brewer Molson Coors. Many think of SWS as the class of the industry.
Not surprisingly, this leading alcohol-beverage distributor is out-spoken about its commitment to responsible consumption of alcohol. Why, they they even have a "four pillar" program on the subject.
Listen to the father-son leadership team give voice to the company's responsibility commitment. They'd certainly not look kindly on the irresponsibility embedded in BuzzBallz. Right?
Listen to the father-son leadership team give voice to the company's responsibility commitment. They'd certainly not look kindly on the irresponsibility embedded in BuzzBallz. Right?
Talking the talk...
... but slurring their words?
"We always advocate moderation."
Sadly, as is too often the case in the business world, this mega-distributor's soothing corporate-commitment speech is betrayed by profit-grabbing, responsibility-shirking action. In this case, by embracing the poster child of irresponsibly marketed alcohol-beverage brands: Southern Wine & Spirits enjoys exclusive distribution rights to BuzzBallz in seven states, including California.
Anyone who suggests that taking on distribution of BuzzBallz was a rogue decision made at some lower level of the distributor is unfamiliar with how such companies work. The choice to distribute any brand is made, not at the bottom, but at the very top of the organization. The same guys on the video publicly proclaiming, "Take responsibility seriously," must have privately cackled, "Let's make some money off those crazy little BuzzBallz!"
Money talks. Responsibility walks.
Sadly, as is too often the case in the business world, this mega-distributor's soothing corporate-commitment speech is betrayed by profit-grabbing, responsibility-shirking action. In this case, by embracing the poster child of irresponsibly marketed alcohol-beverage brands: Southern Wine & Spirits enjoys exclusive distribution rights to BuzzBallz in seven states, including California.
Anyone who suggests that taking on distribution of BuzzBallz was a rogue decision made at some lower level of the distributor is unfamiliar with how such companies work. The choice to distribute any brand is made, not at the bottom, but at the very top of the organization. The same guys on the video publicly proclaiming, "Take responsibility seriously," must have privately cackled, "Let's make some money off those crazy little BuzzBallz!"
Money talks. Responsibility walks.
And Southern Wine & Spirits isn't the only huge operation choosing profit over responsibility. Glazer's--the world's second-largest alcohol-beverage distributor with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue
--also distributes BuzzBallz. Their exclusive territory for the high-alcohol, quickie-buzz product includes eight states, not least of all their home state, Texas.
--also distributes BuzzBallz. Their exclusive territory for the high-alcohol, quickie-buzz product includes eight states, not least of all their home state, Texas.
Corporate irresponsibility
So America's two largest alcohol-beverage distributors bring the most irresponsibly marketed alcohol beverage we know about to the street in more than a third of the country. These mammoth distributors are very good at what they do, so watch for BuzzBallz at a high-school dance near you.
We ended our previous article expressing hope BigBeer had the balls to resist targeting young drinkers and encouraging irresponsible consumption by pushing BuzzBallz.
Who'd have thought BigDistribution had already traded their corporate-responsibility balls... for Ballz?
So America's two largest alcohol-beverage distributors bring the most irresponsibly marketed alcohol beverage we know about to the street in more than a third of the country. These mammoth distributors are very good at what they do, so watch for BuzzBallz at a high-school dance near you.
We ended our previous article expressing hope BigBeer had the balls to resist targeting young drinkers and encouraging irresponsible consumption by pushing BuzzBallz.
Who'd have thought BigDistribution had already traded their corporate-responsibility balls... for Ballz?
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