TL:DR - I left Cutting Edge on Friday August 4th to Embark on the Next Phase of My Wine Adventure Making Awesome Wine Videos and Doing Wine Business Consulting.
When Steve Maher invited me to join the Cutting Edge management team seven years ago, it was to help stabilize a company still reeling from the shock of Mark Maher’s passing. There was no reason to be confident that CES would even exist seven years later. Today, I am comfortable that not only is CES stable, but it is strong, thriving, and very well positioned for future success.
A few highlights of my tenure as Vice President of Marketing for Cutting Edge Selections:
Executed the implementation of SAP Business One
Brand Managed two phenomenally successful launches: Vinum (Croatia/Slovenia) & Jenny and Francois (Natural Wines) and was involved in the launch of more than a dozen additional brands.
Oversaw implementation and training for SevenFifty/Provi
Modernized and greatly expanded CES Marketing profile.
Ran www.cuttingedgeselections.com and CES Social Media
Sales Manager for Toledo and NW Ohio and executed significant sales growth.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished here in the last seven years, but it is time for me to pursue my next adventure.
…SO WHAT WILL I BE DOING? …. Here’s where it gets a little complicated.
I launched an online video show in November of 2009. Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman.
To date, it has been watched nearly ONE MILLION TIMES across multiple platforms. My major project for the next 18 months will be to invest heavily in growing this show. I’ll be traveling to interesting wine locations around the world and trying to produce wine videos in an “Anthony Bourdain Style.” To do this I’ll be drawing on the wealth of relationships and friendships that I’ve built in nearly a quarter century of time in the wine business.
http://www.austinbeeman.com/popular
https://www.youtube.com/user/BeemanTV/videos
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-wine-austin-beemans-interviews-with/id374221487
Note: If you work for a winery, wine importer, destination marketing organization, now would be a good time for us to talk. I have a few concepts already planned, but I am very open to seeing what else is out there.
I will also be doing some consulting in the wine business.
I’ve already been contacted by a number of wineries importers, and wine regions about helping them navigate Marketing, the American Distribution Landscape, Content Strategy (including Social Media,) and more….
Note: While I’m not looking for a full-time job, I’m excited to see how I can help the small and medium sized wine companies that I love so much with the difficult business side of the industry. Do not hesitate to reach out.
Family and Friends
COVID taught me a number of things including the value I place on my family and friends. To all of you who I haven’t seen in far too long, I’m looking forward to spending more time together.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me
Cheers
Austin Beeman