Commercial, Branding
Hi, I’m James. A Strategy and Marketing Expert specializing in fine wine & spirits.
.svg)
James Samson
UK
.png)
No items found.
How I Work
Bio
James Samson is a strategy and marketing expert with over 25 years of experience in the luxury, independent, wine and spirits trade in the UK, Europe, and North America.
His creativity and attention to detail helped propel both innovation and efficiency for over a decade at Grande Marque Champagne houses, Pol Roger and Louis Roederer. As marketing director he modernised branding and communications in a way that created evolution whilst being respectful of company tradition. James has a track record of developing, implementing, and managing successful global brand initiatives by executing value-driven campaigns and brand strategies aimed at building awareness, developing untapped markets, and expanding client bases.
A great strength is his relationship-building and collaborating on joint sponsorships. In this capacity he has worked with iconic luxury brands and institutions such as Aston Martin, Hermès, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Fabergé, the Royal Academy, and Bonhams amongst others. He was also directly responsible for national and global competitions like the Louis Roederer Wine List of the Year Award in collaboration with Imbibe magazine and the highly prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards.
James is also adept at digital marketing having overseen the creation of numerous new brand websites and implemented highly-successful social media campaigns. The creation of content and management of content strategy is of particular interest to him.
He has diversified his experience over his career by stepping out of drinks into other areas of interest such as wastewater treatment, acting as Commercial Director of an industrial phycology start-up; and property developing, renovating a stable block in Bath and a Georgian townhouse in Lincoln during lockdown. He also took a year to complete an MBA in 2014-15.
Featured
No items found.
Case Studies
No items found.
Blog Posts
No items found.
Experience
Self-Employed
Property Developer ・ City 2020 – Present
- Restored a Georgian townhouse in Louth, Lincolnshire, and a stable block in Freshford, Bath to very profitable endpoints.
Corkage Ltd.
Strategy and Marketing Manager ・ 2018 – 2020
- Performed strategic audit of the business to review processes, drive efficiencies, and assess expansion plans.
- Organised high-profile events with key food and drink figures like Oz Clarke, Jancis Robinson, Hugh Johnson, Rick Stein, Fergus Henderson et al.
- Arranged numerous winemaker dinners and tasting events with suppliers selling £1000s of wine in off sales.
Key Achievements:
- Increased SM followers up 300% by revolutionising all communications including a new website, social media platforms, and int/ext comms.
- Generated £1000s on launch by creating innovative marketing initiatives such as the Corkage Personal Wine Spa.
- Saved £65k p/a in lost bookings by researching and integrating a new ePOS/ Online Reservation system.
- Rebalanced the wine lists to adapt margins and increase customer experimentation.
- Helped the business enter the lockdowns by introducing retail operation strategies and home delivery.
- Managed purchasing, pricing, and stock levels, led team wine and service training, introduced incentives, and streamlined staffing saving £1000s.
Industrial Phycology Ltd.
Commercial Director・ 2016 – 2017
- Researched and prepared market potential reports.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with municipal wastewater treatment, aquaculture, food and beverage, mining, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, ballast, and biomass sales companies.
Torc Ltd.
Business Development Director・ 2014 – 2015
- Oversaw complete rebrands and launches across various media channels and led brands into more innovative forms of engagement with the connected world.
- Helped breathe new life into sensitive brands using clear and powerful messages to broaden appeal beyond existing customer bases.
- Served as a communication bridge between brands and the agency using extensive client-side experience.
Carteirra Ltd.
Managing Director・ 2012 – 2013
- Introduced to market the concept of a ‘make-your-own-barrel-of-wine’ experience, creating a brand vision, culture, identity, savvy tech portal, global market segmentation, and launch.
Champagne Louis Roederer and Bordeaux Portfolio
Managing Director・ 2007 – 2012
- Created the overarching brand strategy for Louis Roederer in its second largest export market.
- Developed multi-million-pound marketing and sales budgets, produced forecasts, supervised sales and marketing teams, conducted market research and analysis, and reported back at board level to HQ in Reims.
- Fostered strong, personal, and collaborative relationships with suppliers and on sponsorships and innovative launches with global luxury brands and iconic institutions such as Aston Martin, Hermès, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Fabergé, the Royal Academy, Bonhams.
- Managed and significantly enhanced and expanded national and global competitions such as Wine List of the Year Awards in collaboration with Imbibe, and the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards.
Key Achievements:
- Increased sales by +35% and market share over five years during the financial crisis with adaptive and creative strategies implementation.
.webp)
