McGuigan to quit marketing role

Published: 23 July, 2008

Lisa McGuigan will step down from her role as global marketing director for McGuigan Simeon Wines next Friday (9 February) to concentrate on managing the growth of the Tempus Two brand.

McGuigan, who founded Tempus Two in 1997, seeing production rise from 6,000 cases to 500,000 in just eight years, said she was excited to be spending more time with her baby'. I'm obviously dedicated to Tempus and, because it's growing so rapidly, I felt I didn't have time to concentrate on both,' she said.

Tempus Two sells 250,000 cases a year in the UK through agent Bibendum. While McGuigan wants to cement its presence here, the focus will be on the US, aiming to boost sales in the next 18 months to 100,000 cases.

The brand is already strong in the UK, so I don't want to go crazy. In terms of quality, product and packaging, Tempus is a boutique brand, so I don't want to flood the market and discount just to boost sales. Instead I'm going to be hanging out at Bibendum - I'll be in their face - making sure Tempus is on the right lists.'

She said that the UK was a more discerning market than the US, with the premium Pewter range dominant, whereas the entry-level Varietal range would hit a better price-point in the US.

Tempus Two's new mid-range Copper label, launched at Bibendum's trade tasting last week, has already turned heads, with Tesco falling in love' with the sparkling Moscato and taking 2,000 cases. The wine, one of four in the new range, sold out two months after release in Australia.

Samantha Bragg will be taking over global marketing operations until a replacement director is found.

McGuigan's father, Brian, who founded McGuigan Wines in 1992, resigned as managing director of the publicly listed company in late 2005 as a stronger Australian dollar and grape glut saw profits fall.

In November, the company said first-half profits for 2007 would be more than 50% down on last year. It reported a loss of A$11.5 million (4.5m) for the year to June 30, after writing off more than A$30m (11.9m) in stock.

McGuigan Simeon has appointed Michele Anderson to the new role of general manager for North America. Australian-born Anderson has worked in the US for the past 15 years and will aim to lift sales in this key export market.

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