Episode 79

079 | Philip Duff | Never Stop Learning to Master The Drinks Industry |

In this episode of the Maffeo Drinks Podcast, host Chris Maffeo welcomes guest Philip Duff, a renowned bar industry personality and brand owner.


They engage in a vibrant discussion about the complexity of creating and managing a brand in the drinks industry, drawing from Philip's diverse experiences.


Chris emphasizes the importance of learning and adapting in the ever-evolving beverage industry and the importance of never being afraid to take risks.


The discussion touches on brand creation, the demographic approach, and the significance of brand uniqueness. The conversation delves into identifying market gaps, consumer demographics, the evolution of drinking occasions, and how brands like Cointreau and Fireball succeeded by seizing opportunities.


They explore how timing and adaptability can be pivotal in making a brand successful, citing examples of industry giants who were once small players.


Throughout, Chris and Philip share insights on the significance of pivoting and continuously engaging with the evolving landscape of the drinks industry.


00:00 Welcome to the Maffeo Drinks Podcast

00:27 Introducing Philip Duff

01:40 The Journey of Brand Building

05:19 Navigating the Liquor Industry

07:48 Targeting the Right Audience

24:56 The Importance of Timing and Trends

38:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


About The Host: Chris Maffeo

About The Guest: Phillip Duff

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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