Tag Archives: kretek

Phillips & King Introduces New Brand and Digital Strategy

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For immediate release:

Kretek Contact:
Rachel McKnett
rachelmcknett@kretek.com

Phillips & King Introduces New Brand and Digital Strategy

Phillips & King rolls out a bold new look and announces launch of a digital platform that will modernize the B2B tobacco and related wholesale categories.

(January 2022) Phillips & King International, Inc. is kicking off 2022 with a new brand identity and the announcement of a forthcoming new wholesale e-commerce platform. A distributor of thousands of diverse products since 1906, Phillips & King has a long, successful history serving independent and small chain convenience, tobacco, and liquor retailers across the United States.

Phillips & King is unveiling a new brand identity to mark the beginning of the next chapter in the company’s story. A contemporary refinement of the company’s “shield and knight” badge, the new logo signifies its mission to modernize the business, while paying homage to the equity earned over their 116-year heritage.

Phillips & King has embarked on a complete digital transformation of its business to better serve the evolving needs of its retail customers and brand partners. Over the course of this year, the company will be launching a host of enhancements to its business, including a new web platform expected to launch in early Q2 that will make it easier than ever for stores to discover and stock the products that consumers want most. Phillips & King will also be greatly expanding its product and category assortment to give emerging brands the ability to reach more buyers— and give stores access to the best new products on the market.

“The future of B2B wholesale commerce is both digital and highly-personalized,” says Jason Carignan, President of Phillips & King. “Our new web platform will enable us to more easily connect buyers and sellers across the industry and offer a more expansive array of products and categories- all while improving the personal connection our sales teams have with customers. We believe that retailers should be able to manage their entire business with ease from their mobile device and have access to business intelligence— and expert guidance— that helps drive inventory-buying decisions. This new platform is the first step in our quest to helping stores thrive in the new retail reality.”

To get an extensive first look at the new Phillips & King brand identity, those attending TPE 2022 can visit booth #4081 at the show, happening in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 26 – January 28, 2022. Visit phillipsandking.com for more information and to experience the future of business.

About Phillips & King

Phillips & King, a subsidiary of Kretek International, Inc., is a leading distributor of specialty tobacco, alternative smoking products, and accessories in the United States. Since 1906, the company has built a strong reputation by focusing on independent and small chain convenience, tobacco, and liquor retailers. Phillips & King offers an unparalleled catalog of products and ships to all 50 states, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and globally to US military bases, providing hassle-free tobacco tax compliance, easy web-ordering and a team of knowledgeable customer service experts. For more information, please visit phillipsandking.com.

Press Release: Patrick Hurd Departure from Kretek

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For Immediate Release:

Kretek Contact:
Rachel McKnett
rachelmcknett@kretek.com

 

Kretek International, Inc. Announces Departure of Patrick Hurd, CSO

 

Moorpark, CA – April 30, 2021 – Kretek International, Inc., a leading American cigar and specialty tobacco manufacturer, importer, wholesaler and distributor announces the departure of long time Chief Sales Officer Patrick Hurd after two decades with the company. Hurd’s exit from the company is expected as of May 31, 2021.  


Patrick Hurd originally joined Kretek in November 2000, while launching its Canadian subsidiary, Kretek Canada. Under his leadership, as General Manager, Kretek Canada experienced extensive growth for eleven (11) years before he moved to the United States in June 2011 to launch Kretek International’s Ventura Cigar Company as its General Manager.  Hurd was promoted to Vice President Sales in 2013 and to Chief Sales Officer in 2017.   

 

Hurd leaves the company for personal reasons, to rejoin his family who moved back to Toronto, Canada full time in 2019.  The current Covid-19 crisis made commuting infeasible, which prompted Hurd’s decision to move back to Canada full-time.

Kretek International’s President, Sean Cassar commented, “Patrick has been a vital member of our executive team and a significant contributor to the growth of our proprietary brands.  He will be missed, but as a family business we appreciate the decision he’s made to focus on his family during these unprecedented times.”

Hurd remarked, “Leaving a family business as strong and tightly knit as Kretek is never an easy decision, but my own family is obviously my priority, and that means I need to be back home with them in Canada.  I also look forward to seeing my industry peers and customers at TPE 21 in Las Vegas, May 12-14, 2021 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.”

Kretek currently intends to enter into a consulting agreement with Hurd that will become effective upon his departure and has not announced a successor at this time.

 

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About Kretek International, Inc.

Kretek International, Inc., parent company to DRYFT Sciences, LLC, Phillips & King, Ventura Cigar Company, and Tobacco Media Group (TMG) is a leading American importer, marketer, and distributor of cigars and specialty tobacco products sold by convenience, mass, and national retailers. For over 30 years, Kretek has enjoyed a strong reputation for providing exceptional customer relationships and top-quality goods. The company continues to offer standout brands like Djarum, Cuban Rounds, and Djeep Lighters to distribution channels across the United States and Canada, bringing value, high margins, and growth to retailers and distributors.

 

 

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NBA Legend – Karl Malone to kick off Tobacco Plus Expo with insight and inspiration for all facets of the Tobacco Industry

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For Immediate Release:

CONTACT
TPE Show Contact: Dawn Conger

dawnconger@tobaccoplusexpo.com

TPE Press Contact: Rachel McKnett
rachelmcknett@kretek.com

Karl Malone, Keynote Speaker of TPE 2020

Malone to kick off Tobacco Plus Expo with insight and inspiration for all facets of the Tobacco Industry.

November 2019 – The Tobacco Media Group (TMG) is excited to announce 14-time NBA All-Star Karl Malone as the Keynote Speaker for the Tobacco Plus Expo 2020 (TPE 2020). Well-respected for his performance, talent, and many achievements on the court, including being the NBA’s 2nd all-time leading scorer, a 2-time Olympic Champion, and a 2-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Malone has brought his leadership and vision off the court and into the tobacco industry, developing a premium cigar using tobacco aged in rum barrels in collaboration with Guillermo Leon Herbert, the owner of LA Aurora. Malone has long since enjoyed relaxing with cigars, and the development process has given him a new view on the industry. As the TPE 2020 Keynote Speaker, Karl Malone will offer attendees insight as an enthusiast, a manufacturer, and even as a retailer on behalf of his daughter, Kadee Malone, who owns Legends Cigar & Vape. Perfect for a B2B show that brings the entire industry together, the Keynote Session at TPE 2020 will lead a well-rounded schedule of interesting educational sessions covering different categories, facets, and perspectives.

 

karl malone nba legend

 

The first major tradeshow of the year for the tobacco and alternative industries, TPE 2020 runs Wednesday, January 29 through Friday, January 31 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. For TPE 2020, TMG set out to re-invigorate the trade show’s educational benefits by bringing in some of the premium tobacco industry’s biggest disruptors and headliners. Each session of IGNITE has been designed to empower retailers and manufacturers and improve their businesses with insights from companies and entrepreneurs who are making a difference and challenging the status quo of their respective industries.

 

“TMG’s mission and goal is to provide our audience with timely, useful content that will help them do business better. When it came time to plan out the educational lineup for TPE 2020, we wanted to bring the same energy and top-notch content we feature in each issue of Tobacco Business Magazine into the upcoming trade show,” says Antoine Reid, Senior Editor and Digital Content director for TMG. “We understand that the typical educational conference can be boring and a chore to sit through, but that’s not what TPE 2020’s educational sessions will be. IGNITE will be informative, engaging and feature a diverse lineup of speakers and experts that will leave attendees feeling inspired, invigorated and ready to take on the rest of 2020 with excitement and the knowledge needed to be successful in business.”

In addition to the Keynote Address, TMG is pleased to announce the following sessions and moderators, which will also include a panel of industry experts on each topic:

Thursday 1/30/20

11:30-12:15 Sisters of the Leaf: Selling, Marketing, and Promoting Tobacco Products to Women, moderated by Erica Arroyo

2:30-5pm NATO: Local, State, and Federal Tobacco Legislation and Regulations: What Industry Members Need to Know with Thomas Briant

Friday 1/31/20

11:30-12:15pm Tobacco Retail Rebooted: Jumpstart and Rejuvenate Your Retail Operation, moderated by Dave Garofalo

2:30-3:30pm State of the Union: Cigar Legislation Update, moderated by Glynn Loope

Our education session calendar is continuously being updated as new conferences are added to the show. For additional details and the most up to date scheduling information, please visit www.tobaccoplusexpo.com.

It’s not too early to secure your pass for TPE and success in 2020. Just visit www.tobaccoplusexpo to register.

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About TPE:

Under the banner of Tobacco Media Group (TMG) owned by Kretek International, Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) is the largest B2B tobacco trade show highlighting the full-spectrum of tobacco, vapor, alternatives and general merchandise products available on the ever-evolving market. TPE 2020 is planning to deliver the industry’s most compelling content, products, and information, and will be held January 29, 2020 through January 31, 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. To learn more about the show, please visit the website: www.tobaccoplusexpo.com.