Dear Client:
“It gives me incredible pleasure to announce that Phil Rosse will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of The Mark Anthony Group of Companies effective January 1st, 2026,” Mark Anthony founder Anthony von Mandl wrote distributors in a winding email just now.
In the note, he recounts his start in the bev alc biz more than 50 years ago:
“Over five decades ago, I founded Mark Anthony Wine Merchants out of a 10 x 10 sq. ft. office at the back of a Vancouver civic theatre with nothing but a dream. No one believed in my vision nor would provide a dime of financing. …”
Spoiler, he now presides over the most successful flavor-forward bev alc company in the U.S.
But as the industry has turned to a “sudden, accelerated decline in overall alcohol consumption and occasions following the global pandemic,” AVM sees it as a time to “think different.”
“I see this as yet another opportunity to substantially grow our business,” he added.
“Now is the time to appoint my CEO successor so I can focus on my role as Founder & Chairman of The Mark Anthony Group of Companies. Remarkably, this will be The Mark Anthony Group’s only second CEO since our founding in 1972. I think of this as the moment to ‘Re-Found’ Mark Anthony, bring renewed action driven purpose and drive to our company. It was essential to hand the baton over to ‘one of our own’, someone who lives and breathes our values, culture and purpose.”
Indeed, AVM said the decision to name Phil as the next CEO comes down to Phil’s track record, his leadership DNA, and his “deep understanding” of what makes the company “special.” (Note, David Barnett remains president of MAB.)
AVM pointed to Phil’s 28-year beverage career, including 10 years at ABI and now 18 years with Mark Anthony, where he rose from leading the Canadian business to President of Mark Anthony Brands in Chicago and ultimately Vice Chairman.
Under Phil’s leadership, the company’s U.S. contribution has become “15x greater” than when Phil took over, AVM said, and the business just surpassed a major milestone: “1 billion cases sold” since Mike’s Hard launched in 1999, with “85% of those sold” during Phil’s 13 years running the U.S. operation.
AVM noted that he personally recruited Phil 18 years ago, and has watched his “long-term commitment, curiosity and discipline” fuel “immense personal growth” and a deep appreciation for the company’s culture. That understanding, he said, gives him “such confidence that Phil is the right person for me to transition to the CEO role.”
Phil “will protect and value our heritage while taking us into our future, pursuing our ambition to create the highest performing organization in the drinks business and one that remains positioned to win for the long term,” AVM said.
“With this new leadership structure in place, I am tremendously optimistic about what lies ahead in our journey to together shape the future of the Global Drinks Industry,” the note closed, adding “We truly have only just begun!”
BHAG: DOUBLE BUSINESS GLOBALLY. AVM has a number for their upside, too.
“Despite our success to-date, we only have a 1% share of the global beverage alcohol market. As more consumers search for less total alcohol per drinking occasion yet still want that ‘drinking experience’ by searching for pre-mixed healthier options, no company is as perfectly positioned as Mark Anthony to give them what they want: superb formulated, best-in-class tasting, compelling, distinctly branded and packaged RTDs,” he said.
With their RTD expertise, there is “no reason we cannot more than double our business globally,” he believes. Stay tuned.
Until tomorrow,
Jenn, Jordan, Bianca, and Harry
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The Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit is Jan. 18-20, 2026 at Hotel del Coronado near San Diego.
Register here or call Jessica at 210-805-8006 or email her jessica@beernet.com.
The link to book your hotel is live; room block closes December 21.
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn.” – Gore Vidal
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