Breakthru Welcomes the United Division

Feb. 24, 2016

“Everyone is new to this team. That’s the exciting part.” That is the message Kevin O’Neil, Breakthru Beverage Executive Vice President, brought to the newly-formed United Division, which will represent a group of over 900 associates that will support Diageo and Moët Hennessey brands across Breakthru Beverage Group’s North American footprint.

At a kick-off meeting for the division at  Breakthru Beverage Illinois in Cicero, O’Neil stated the importance of a customer focus for the team saying, “If we don’t engage and activate the customer, we will miss out.” 

Julian Burzynski, Breakthru Beverage Chief Sales Officer, opened the two-day event on Feb. 24 with a reminder that “Our goal is to create value.” Team leaders weighed in with their own thoughts and insights throughout the day.

What are Breakthru  Beverage customers looking for from the United Division?

“Customers everywhere are looking for insight. They want us to tell them something about the industry, their competition, or even their own business that they don’t already know. That is how we can best add value to them.” – John Donohue, Senior Vice President Wirtz Beverage Canada

What do we want the United Division to become?

“One goal for the team is that everyone gets a flavor of what’s going on with the whole division, and understanding that they are a part of something bigger than what’s going on in any individual state.” – Don Kiwor, Vice President and General Manager Breakthru Beverage Colorado

How does the United Division support accounts?

"We add value by bringing brands to life, through activation, through our product knowledge and local market knowledge. Customers are looking for someone with the leading brands who knows trends and can tell them what’s coming next. This division has great brands, anchor brands that drive people into our customer’s businesses.” – Fedele Miranda, Vice President Metro New York Empire Merchants

What do customers not know about these large suppliers?

“When you think of the United portfolio, you think of the big names, and customers tend to forget about the hidden gems of Diageo’s craft brands, products like Bulleit Bourbon, George Dickel and even Ketel One, which is the original craft brand.” – Matt Wind, Senior Vice President Breakthru Beverage Illinois