👉🏼Wine Category Manager, Megan Kinniburgh, steps into the hot seat for our Take 5 series to share why honesty wins the day and what new wine trend has her intrigued.
🍷What’s your history with LMG?
I’ve been with LMG for two years after coming out of supplier land where I had a trade marketing background. I’ve worked in wine in the past and have loved coming to it with the retail lens and being a conduit between our suppliers and members.
🍷What’s a valuable lesson you’ve learned over your career?
To be as open, honest and transparent as possible, with colleagues, suppliers and members. It’s not always easy but ultimately it builds trust and fosters collaboration to create stronger relationships, creating an environment for innovative ideas and fresh perspectives that benefit everyone.
🍷What are you most looking forward to in the coming months?
Suppliers are drawing inspiration from the RTD category to create a spritz category in wine experimenting with creative flavour twists like lemon, passionfruit, watermelon and pistachio. It’s not always easy to recruit people into wine – you’ve essentially only got red and white to work with. But I’m excited to see that the industry is giving it a go. It appeals to the broader audience with a recruitment focus on the younger consumer seeking new news.
🍷How do you handle challenges in your role?
There are always things that are out of my control. When it comes to the wine industry it could be supply, weather, shortages. I manage them as best I can and ensure communication is clear to all parties involved. And I’ve learned that it’s so important to get other people’s perspectives when you’re trying to solve a problem. There’s so much talent and experience in this business to draw on. Two heads are better than one.
🍷What’s the best advice you’d give someone starting out in the industry?
Embrace continual learning. Be curious, ask questions. There is so much to learn about in the wine industry. And be connected to people outside of your category – a diverse network of input to draw on is always valuable. It can help you navigate challenges and uncover new opportunities. Finally, build strong relationships - you never know when you might need to call on them!
🍷What keeps you inspired?
Hands down, the people – across LMG, the wine suppliers, and the members. The LMG team punches way above its weight and provides incredible solutions to our members. The wine suppliers I work with are so passionate and seeing the younger generations coming through is inspiring. And finally, the members – playing a role in helping them to succeed is fantastic. I work with an amazing and eclectic group of people and I don’t want to let them down.
🍷What does your ideal Friday night look like and what are you drinking?
I’ll have my feet up on the couch with some takeaway and a rose or chardonnay. If I’ve got friends coming over, I might get a bit more fancy with my wine – I’ve got a lot to choose from!
Revenue Generator fueled by insights and strategy | Former: University of Notre Dame Athletic Dept, General Mills, Conagra Brands, and Sazerac
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