Forum to focus on engaging consumers

Published: 07 October, 2011

Just how well the wine trade is engaging with the consumer will be the key theme of an industry forum Harpers is hosting with consumer campaigning website, wineoption.org next month.

Leading figures from both within and outside the wine trade, including commerce, marketing, design, FMCG, journalism, social media, health and entertainment will discuss: How well is the wine trade engaging the consumer? Good or bad? Smug or smart?

Simon Green of wineoption.org said engaging the consumer is a topic which everyone in the wine trade is clearly concerned about, but is often only partly addressed at wine events. He warned there is a danger of a growing disconnect with the very people the trade needs to buy its wine.

Green added: "This conference will look at how the trade can embrace these changes, but also use them to better connect with consumers and give them the wine choices they want in a language they can understand."

The line up of speakers includes: leading FMCG marketing consultant Andrew Marsden; futurologist, author and former BBC broadcaster Dr James Bellini; Kevin Shaw, owner of specialist drinks design agency Stranger & Stranger; Richard Halstead, chief operating officer of Wine Intelligence; event organiser for the Big Wine Festival, Olivia Ocana; wine consultant Helen McGinn who runs knackeredmotherswineclub.blogspot.com; and Rowan Gormley, founder of Naked Wines.

The event takes place on November 17 at Shanghai Blues in Holborn, London, and is being chaired by Harpers editor, Richard Siddle. Spaces are limited so if you would like to attend email Richard Siddle.

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