The Mark Anthony Group of Companies Appoints Rick Fitzgerald as the New Canadian President of Mark Anthony Brands

Industry Veteran to Oversee Canadian Operations in Support of Company's Growth Strategy

VANCOUVER, April 11, 2012 /CNW/ - The Mark Anthony Group of Companies, the major Canadian owned diversified beverage alcohol Company, today announced the appointment of Rick Fitzgerald to the position of President of Mark Anthony Brands in Canada effective May 7^th, 2012. In this position, Fitzgerald will assume overall responsibility for the Company's Canadian business working out of the Company's new Toronto Head Office, and reporting to Anthony von Mandl, Founder & CEO of the Mark Anthony Group of Companies.

Concurrently, Doug Goldsby will move to a new position of Vice-Chairman, Mark Anthony Brands, following 9 years as President and 13 years with the Company in which he has led substantial growth in the Canadian business.  Goldsby will focus on business development, with mandates to further build-out the Agency business across Canada, as well as exploring new international business opportunities and initiatives for the Company.

Fitzgerald brings more than 27 years of senior management experience in the beverage alcohol industry and a track record of success, both in Canada and internationally. He was previously President & CEO at Diageo Canada Inc., and its predecessors Guinness-UDV Inc., United Distillers & Vintners Canada Inc., United Distillers Canada Inc. and Schenley Canada Inc.

Most recently, he has served as an executive group leader and coach with The CEO Global Network organization, helping entrepreneurs, Presidents and CEOs to become more effective business leaders. He has served on a number of Boards of Directors, in both the public and private sectors, and in the past served two terms as the Chair of the Association of Canadian Distillers (Spirits Canada), interfacing and collaborating with all levels of government.

"I am extremely pleased to add a senior executive of Rick's caliber to the Mark Anthony Senior Leadership Team," said Anthony von Mandl, Founder & CEO at the Mark Anthony Group of Companies. "What sets Mark Anthony apart, in addition to the passion of our people, is our vision to build one of the last remaining great Canadian-owned drinks companies.  We continue to do so not by acquisition, but by innovating and developing new brands that anticipate the future needs of Canadian consumers.  Rick is an exceptional leader who will add additional strategic and operational capability to the business.  After 9 years of leading Mark Anthony Brands' significant growth in Canada, having Doug focus on expansion of our Agency business as well as utilizing his talents and experience to drive our international growth will usher in a new era of growth for our Company."

About the Mark Anthony Group of Companies
The Mark Anthony Group of Companies is one of North America's most diversified and successful private beverage companies focused on the alcohol beverage sector. Founded 1972, the Company grew organically from a one man wine importing business to a producer and distributor of fine wine, premium beer and today is the largest RTD (ready to drink) Company in North America.  The Company's portfolio of brands includes mike's hard lemonade®, Palm Bay Spritz®, Canada's first sustainable brewery (Stanley Park Brewery), and the Okanagan Cider Company.  The Company's Founder & CEO is also the Proprietor of the award-winning Mission Hill Family Estate winery in the Okanagan Valley.  In addition, the Company proudly represents many of the world's leading wine and beer brands, providing seamless services from producer to consumer throughout Canada. The Company recently relocated its Canadian Head Office to Toronto, and US operations to Chicago.  For more information, visit www.markanthony.com

Ian Galbraith
Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]