July 16, 2010
Posted By - Lauren
Source Credits -talent network, inc., Premier Innovations Group, Clique Vodka
---
When you go to the liquor store, do you ever wonder where your alcohol is coming from? Where it is distributed from? Who is selling it? You don't? Me neither, until recently. This month Clique Vodka was launched here in Pittsburgh. It is owned by Premier Innovations Group, which is owned and locally operated right here in Pittsburgh. Since our city is 1-degree of separation, I learned of Clique Vodka, Premier Innovations Group, and the launch rather quickly, mostly through Facebook and Twitter. There has been quite a bit of buzz about Clique Vodka, and the gentlemen behind the product.
I was able to catch up with Noah Cohen, Founder and CEO of Premier Innovations Group, and Frank Bachurski, VP of Marketing and Promotions. We talked about how things run behind the scenes of Clique Vodka, what the future holds for Premier Innovations Group, and how they plan to use their promotional and marketing expertise to introduce new products to the Pittsburgh entertainment scene.
----------------------------
Noah Cohen and the Premier Innovations Group
Photo courtesy of www.premierinnovationsgroup.com
talent network: What led you to create Clique Vodka?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN, Founder & CEO of Premier Innovations Group: “After my experiences with the liquor industry as VP of another vodka company, I became driven to start a spirits importing company that had great culture as a brand assembly line. When Premier Innovations Group, the company that owns Clique Vodka, was founded I wanted to target the mid-shelf vodka value segment. After assembling a marketing team that are now stockholders in Premier the entire team of officers came together to brainstorm a name that we felt would have great marketability and would successfully capture the young professional drinker.”
FRANK BACHURSKI, VP of Marketing & Promotions for Premier Innovations Group
“The name Clique Vodka was agreed upon after a brainstorming session amongst a number of officers in the company. We wanted a name that embodied the idea of a brand that the young, outgoing professional that likes to have fun could relate to. The name itself encourages one to try a new brand and become part of a movement of young people in charge of their own identity. The word itself even has an appropriate “ring” to it, which sounds great when used in a social setting and allows for great marketing potential.”
FRANK BACHURSKI, VP of Marketing & Promotions for Premier Innovations Group
“The name Clique Vodka was agreed upon after a brainstorming session amongst a number of officers in the company. We wanted a name that embodied the idea of a brand that the young, outgoing professional that likes to have fun could relate to. The name itself encourages one to try a new brand and become part of a movement of young people in charge of their own identity. The word itself even has an appropriate “ring” to it, which sounds great when used in a social setting and allows for great marketing potential.”
talent network: What makes Clique Vodka unique to Pittsburgh?
Premier Innovations Group: FRANK BACHURSKI: “Clique Vodka is unique because it is imported from Latvia by our company, Premier Innovations Group, which is one of the only federal importers headquartered in Pittsburgh, P.A. Pittsburgh is a traditional city with a great foundation in many industries, but our company is striving to boost the entertainment scene in Pittsburgh. Having a locally owned vodka in the hands of a group of young, involved people pushing to stimulate local business and excitement should really fare well for this city. I don’t think that Pittsburgh has been exposed to many businesses that have the potential to make an impact in the entertainment & social scene like this one does. We are very excited to put Pittsburgh on the worldwide map with this one.”
talent network: Who are your vodka influences?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “Every vodka has been an inspiration. Our team members have been students of the industry, watching how each brand took market share and strategically fitting our brand within a unique demographic. We have enjoyed many vodkas and definitely have enjoyed Three Olives Cherry and the growth of the Three Olives brand during the development of our company. We look to develop a similar product in the near future to add to Clique.”
talent network: There have been talks of a Clique Tequila?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “Actually in one week our company, Premier Innovations Group, will be launching a tequila called Don Pantaleon. It is close to 100% agave and sits in the inexpensive tequila segment of the shelf. It is a unique product with great value from Arrandas, Mexico to add to our ongoing portfolio.”
talent network: How many stores are you now in?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “Right now Clique is in 120 state stores and will increase soon. You can see Clique in almost any store within a 20 mile radius of Pittsburgh. Our home base is our biggest focus. Clique Vodka is constantly expanding market share in other states including Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia.”
talent network: How many tastes tests did you go through before you found the perfect taste?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “As a federal importer, facilities around the world competed by sending us bottles from all different countries and cities, and we tried the main brands off the shelves as well. It is hard to say a number. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, and then of course the trials and tribulations of our facility's development of the brand formula through travels to North Eastern Europe. We had the ability to choose any facility so we took things very seriously. We challenge the readers to try to find better vodka on the market. It's an amazing value at 15.99 and is a super premium quality in the mid shelf.”
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “Every vodka has been an inspiration. Our team members have been students of the industry, watching how each brand took market share and strategically fitting our brand within a unique demographic. We have enjoyed many vodkas and definitely have enjoyed Three Olives Cherry and the growth of the Three Olives brand during the development of our company. We look to develop a similar product in the near future to add to Clique.”
talent network: There have been talks of a Clique Tequila?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “Actually in one week our company, Premier Innovations Group, will be launching a tequila called Don Pantaleon. It is close to 100% agave and sits in the inexpensive tequila segment of the shelf. It is a unique product with great value from Arrandas, Mexico to add to our ongoing portfolio.”
talent network: How many stores are you now in?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “Right now Clique is in 120 state stores and will increase soon. You can see Clique in almost any store within a 20 mile radius of Pittsburgh. Our home base is our biggest focus. Clique Vodka is constantly expanding market share in other states including Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia.”
talent network: How many tastes tests did you go through before you found the perfect taste?
Premier Innovations Group: NOAH COHEN: “As a federal importer, facilities around the world competed by sending us bottles from all different countries and cities, and we tried the main brands off the shelves as well. It is hard to say a number. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, and then of course the trials and tribulations of our facility's development of the brand formula through travels to North Eastern Europe. We had the ability to choose any facility so we took things very seriously. We challenge the readers to try to find better vodka on the market. It's an amazing value at 15.99 and is a super premium quality in the mid shelf.”
----------------------------
Clique Vodka Launch Party - July 13, 2010
I had the opportunity to attend the official Clique Vodka launch party this past Tuesday, July 13th at the PPG Aquarium. (Even the rainy night couldn't keep anyone's spirits down about this accomplishment from Premier Innovations Group.) Guests were greeted at the top of the escalators with a tram to transport everyone to the Aquarium, it felt a little like Jurasic Park as the tram weaved its way through the zoo. All of a sudden, out of the dark trail and trees, there were red and blue lights, and music vibrating from inside the Aquarium. DJ Nugget, provided the music for the evening.
Guests were dropped off at the front door, and once checked into the party, greeted with a glass of Clique Vodka that had been chilled over ice. It was pure and smooth with no hint of the traditional 'vodka burn', which was instantly impressive. After a couple more feet, there was a watermelon pucker shot table, which was also delicious paired with Clique Vodka. In front of the penguin tank was a martini table. Walk a little further and there was another vodka stand overlooking the main area. The Clique Vodka logo was on all of the aquarium tanks, which really added to the atmosphere.
After getting a chance to taste test the vodka in different varieties upstairs, guests could walk down the ramp to the main party area. There was a pomegrante lime spritzer stand half way down the ramp, nestled back among the tree decor. Once downstairs, there was an ice luge with Clique Vodka shots, another main bar, as well as a side bar in front of one of the bigger aquariums, just to the side of the sting ray tank. At this station they were cutting a whole watermelon into fresh cubes, along with fresh mint for a refreshing summer drink - my favorite of the night!
Around 10:30pm, Noah Cohen and the Premier team stood above the crowd, gave a speech of gratitude, introduced the team, and talked about where the company was headed. Everyone was very excited to hear about the tequila coming out this year, Don Pantaleon.
Talent Network was thrilled to be a part of this event, and enjoyed talking with Noah and Frank, who have helped give our readers a glimpse of what's to come from Premier Innovations Group.
You can also check out more photos from the event here at WPXI's See and Be Seen section.
RELATED LINKS:You can also check out more photos from the event here at WPXI's See and Be Seen section.
Click Photo Below to Enlarge & View
Talent Network, Inc. gets first taste of Don Pantaleon Tequila
Premiere Innovations Group Web Site
Join the Social Media Revolution
Follow talent network news on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and for Party Planning Help and to Hire Entertainment contact talent network, inc
0 Comment on this Post:
Post a Comment