To lead this initiative, Global Spirits has appointed Julius Criscione to the position of managing director – Americas.
In this newly created position, Criscione will report to Global Spirits USA’s newly appointed CEO Maxim Dubossarsky. Criscione will be responsible for the development of the Global Spirits portfolio for the Americas domestic (excluding US) and duty free markets as well as the international brand development for Leaf vodka.
A Fortune 500 company in Europe, Global Spirits was established in 2008 and has operational hubs in New York, Moscow and Kiev. The company's annual volume exceeds 12 million cases, with distribution in more than 80 countries.
Dubossarsky said: “The creation of this business unit reflects the company’s ongoing efforts toward international expansion.”
“Our goal is to establish a network of business partners who share the same values and passion for building brands in an open and transparent environment,” he said.
Criscione said. “The company’s entrepreneurial culture, their financial resources and commitment to international expansion provide a strong foundation for brand development and sustainable growth.”
Criscione joined Global Spirits in 2012 as the national sales and marketing director at Global Spirits USA and was responsible for the operational development, commercialisation, and market launch for LEAF Vodka in the US.
Criscione has more than 25 years of cross-functional leadership experience in the international wine and spirits industry. Prior to joining Global Spirits, he held a number of leadership positions at Pernod Ricard USA including vice president of inventory management, vice president of business support at Malibu-Kahlua International, VP international division, and VP Seagram’s Malt-Based beverages division.
Key strategic brands include: Khortytsa vodka (4th largest selling vodka brand at 6.4 million cases), Morosha vodka (fastest growing international vodka brand at 3.3 million cases), Pervak vodka (acquired in 2013) and Leaf vodka (launched in the US October 2013).
