~Constellation Brands and Hello Vino launch first-ever mobile marketing program to assist wine shoppers in this holiday season~
VICTOR, NY - December 5, 2011--Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ), the world's leading premium wine company, whose brands include Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, Clos du Bois and Ravenswood, has launched the first-ever mobile marketing campaign to provide wine recommendations based on individual store inventory. Partnering with Hello Vino Inc. and utilizing the location-based services within their mobile apps, Constellation Brands will use the program to reach consumers at point-of-sale through their smartphones, particularly during peak times such as the upcoming holiday season.
Other elements of the initiative include push notifications and the promotion of brands within the Hello Vino mobile apps to engage shoppers while making their purchase decisions. This mobile program creates a direct channel through which Constellation Brands can communicate with pre-qualified wine consumers using mobile technology.
The free Hello Vino mobile apps, available to both iPhone and Android users, recommend specific wine brands to consumers based on meal selections, specific occasions and taste preferences. Hello Vino is currently the most downloaded among the hundreds of wine-related mobile apps.
"Our mission is to break down the overwhelming wall of wine and offer personalized recommendations available at the store in which you're standing," remarks Jim Kopp, vice president of Strategic Development for Hello Vino. "In addition, the integrity of the app is upheld by serving both organic and sponsored recommendations, similar to Google."
Constellation Brands plans to capitalize on the increasing trend of consumers utilizing smartphones while shopping to make more informed purchases. A 2010 survey by Accenture, a management consulting and technology services company, found that 73% of shoppers favor their smartphones for assistance as compared to 15% who favor interaction with a retail employee.
"This mobile marketing campaign is one of the ways we plan to deliver education and innovation when and where consumers want it," noted Chris Fehrnstrom, chief marketing officer, Constellation Brands. "The Hello Vino platform allows us to execute a measureable turnkey program which will helps consumers make better-informed wine purchase decisions, resulting in a better wine-buying experience."
About Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands is the world's leading premium wine company that achieves success through an unmatched knowledge of wine consumers, storied brands that suit varied lives and tastes, and talented employees worldwide. With a broad portfolio of widely admired premium products across the wine, beer and spirits categories, Constellation's brand portfolio includes Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Blackstone, Arbor Mist, Estancia, Ravenswood, Ruffino, Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, Kim Crawford, Corona Extra, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and SVEDKA Vodka.
Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B) is a S&P 500 Index and Fortune 1000® company with more than 100 brands in our portfolio, sales in about 100 countries and operations in approximately 30 facilities. The company believes that industry leadership involves a commitment to our brands, to the trade, to the land, to investors and to different people around the world who turn to our products when celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones. We express this commitment through our vision: to elevate life with every glass raised. To learn more about Constellation, visit the company's website at www.cbrands.com.
About Hello Vino, Inc.
Hello Vino delivers wine recommendations to mobile phones, assisting consumers with the perfect bottle of wine for a meal, occasion, or according to taste preferences. The service is available on any smartphone through free iPhone and Android apps, as well as mobile web sites for BlackBerry and Windows Phones. More information, including video demonstrations and features, are available at HelloVino.com
Constellation Brands
Angela Howland Blackwell-585-678-7141
Cheryl Gossin-585-678-7191
Hello Vino
Jim Kopp-800-599 8478 ext 709