Episode 63

063 | David Wood | Understanding How to Choose Distributors & Wholesalers | Liana Collection

In Episode 063, Chris Maffeo and David Wood from the Liana Collection share valuable insights on the three stages of brand distribution.

He provides expert advice for startup drink brands on self-distribution, the role of small and large distributors, and the crucial importance of building trade relationships.

The discussion also covers the complexities of working with wholesalers, the necessity of immersive brand experiences for sales teams, and strategies for national and international brand expansion.

Emphasizing the need for founders to stay actively engaged in the trade, David and Chris highlight the evolving role of salespersons in today's digital age.

Tune in for a comprehensive guide to scaling your drinks brand successfully!


Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Brand Distribution Stages

00:55 Advice for Startup Drink Brands

02:34 Scaling with Distributors

⁠03:26 Importance of On-Trade Chains

11:11 Managing Relationships with Wholesalers

16:30 Building Brand Demand

24:11 Role of Sales Reps and Founders

32:58 Digitalization of Sales and Social Media

⁠37:24 Conclusion and Contact Information


About The Host: Chris Maffeo

About The Guest: David Wood

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About the Podcast

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The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast
Brands Are Built Bottom-up.

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About your host

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Chris Maffeo

With 20 years of experience working for some of the biggest drinks brands across 30+ markets, I've developed a unique understanding of how brands grow in today's market.
Now, I help drinks brands build sustainable growth through bottom-up demand creation.
My methodology focuses on how brand demand spreads - from initial venue adoption to international expansion.
I teach brands how to create, convert, and sustain demand across the three critical stages of growth: from one bottle to one case to one pallet.
My expertise lies in understanding how brands grow through genuine advocacy, from bar to bar, city to city, and building foundations that enable natural scaling.
Through consulting, training, and speaking engagements, I help brands:
• Build sustainable demand from the ground up
• Systematize their approach to building brands city by city
• Navigate the path from local success to international growth
• Develop strategies based on occasions rather than demographics