Page 5 - TOB Magazine Jan/Feb 2013

14
TOBACCO OUTLET BUSINESS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
NEWS & TRENDS
Kocolene Recognizes Employees
CEO Gary F. Myers of Kocolene announced three company promotions.
Andrea S. Myers has been named
president of Kocolene Marketing, LLC,
a subsidiary of Kocolene Development,
effective October 1, 2012. Formerly
executive vice president of Kocolene
Development Corporation, Andrea
Myers sits on the company’s board
of directors, operations committee,
management committee, and
executive committee and is head of
the merchandising department. Andrea
Myers is in charge of all non-fuel
purchases for Kocolene’s 29 retail
stores.
Celeste Lucas assumed the role of
merchandise associate for Kocolene
Marketing, LLC on September 4, 2012.
Lucas began her career with Kocolene
in 2001 as an assistant manager of
a Fast Max convenience store and
managed several different stores within
the Kocolene organization throughout
the years. She played a large role during
a recent conversion to new computer
software companywide providing
manager training at five stores. CEO
Gary Myers states, “Celeste’s field
experience and product knowledge will
be real assets to our merchandising
department.”
On October 16, 2012, Todd
DeHaven became operations support
manager for Kocolene Marketing,
LLC. DeHaven began his career with
Kocolene in 2006 as director of golf
with Shadowood Golf, LLC, a former
subsidiary of Kocolene Development
that was sold in July 2012. Having
assisted the new owners with the
transition, DeHaven is now receiving
field training in the Smokers Host
and Fast Max Divisions of Kocolene
Marketing, LLC. “Todd has proven
his leadership abilities, organizational
skills and [that he] can get things
accomplished,” says Gary Myers.
“Todd will provide a fresh perspective
to our Kocolene operations.”
PIPA: A Perfect Primer
Scandinavian Tobacco Group Lane has introduced PIPA, a
product that will make it easier than ever for cigarette and
cigar smokers to explore the world of pipe tobacco. Each
package comes with 1.5 oz of Vanilla Cavendish pipe tobacco,
a free corn cob pipe, a free sticker, and a free “Pipe Smoking
101” instruction booklet—all for a suggested retail price of
$5.49.
“There are scores of adult smokers who are curious about
pipe tobacco,” says Leonard Wortzel, the company’s brand
manager for pipe and RYO. “Their biggest barrier is often
the cost and complication of choosing a pipe. PIPA gives
smokers an incredibly affordable way to explore the pipe
smoking hobby.”
The first thing consumers will likely notice about PIPA is
the packaging itself. “The pack imagery for pipe tobacco is
typically more 19th century than 21st century,” says Wortzel.
“We thought it was time to speak
to contemporary smokers in a
contemporary way.”
Currently available in Vanilla
Cavendish, STG Lane will launch
additional PIPA blends in early
2013. Scandinavian Tobacco
Group Lane, 1-800-241-2038
Correction: The products below were inadvertently misrepresented in a previous issue. The correct information is below.
STG Goes Large
Scandinavian Tobacco
Group Lane presents
Captain Black Mini Tipped
Cigars, plastic-tipped
cigars conveniently sized
to offer a quality smoking
experience in a short
amount of time. Captain
Black Mini Tipped cigars
are smooth with a pleasant
aroma and blended with quality tobacco. The cigars are sold
in packs of five and single sticks. All are individually foil-
wrapped for ultimate freshness and available in three great
flavors: Original, Vanilla and Cherry. “Captain Black Mini Tips
give consumers a short escape that is full of flavor,” says
Dionne Lucas, brand manager.
Captain Black Mini Tipped Cigars are an extension of the
highly popular Captain Black brand sold in over 19 countries.
“STG Lane is excited about the opportunity to fill a void in
the current marketplace,” says Jesper Kjaergaard-Jensen,
marketing director. “The mini tip is the perfect size for the
consumer. I am also pleased to introduce our first cigar launch
in the U.S. that is not in the 20-pack format.” STG Lane, 800-
241-2038