Kretek International, Inc. has announced the departure of long-time Chief Sales Officer Patrick Hurd after two decades with the company. Hurd’s exit from the company is expected as of May 31, 2021. Patrick Hurd originally joined Kretek in November 2000, while launching its Canadian subsidiary, Kretek Canada. In June 2011, he moved to the United […]
Michael Giannini is out as General Manager of Ventura Cigar Company. According to a report by Cigar Aficionado, Giannini is no longer with the company as a part of a larger corporate restructuring at Kretek International. The report says Ventura Cigar Company will no longer operate as a stand-alone business unit within Kretek International. Ventura […]
This week Cigar Coop will be bringing you coverage from the Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vegas. It’s the first trade show of 2020 for the premium cigar industry. This will be Cigar Coop’s first year covering TPE. We’ll break down what to expect and ponder some questions going into the show. General Information What […]
Island Lifestyle Importers has announced the termination of their exclusive marketing and distribution agreement with Kretek International for Island Lifestyle Importers’ Tommy Bahama Luxury Cigar Accessories. The company also announced it has taken back control of its distribution including sales and marketing. Island Lifestyle Importers is the exclusive designer, manufacturer and distributor of Tommy Bahama […]
Kretek International has announced it will not exhibit at the 2020 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show this July. The decision includes all of the company’s subsidiaries including Phillips and King as well as Ventura Cigar Company. Kretek is also the parent company that runs the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) Trade Show, which has been […]
Ventura Cigar Company, the premium cigar company under Kretek International has confirmed a series of layoffs has occurred in its sales organization. The reason for the layoffs given was the need to restructure its sales organization “in advance of new FDA regulations expected to hit the tobacco industry in upcoming months.” The company also said […]
As in past IPCPR Trade Shows, Ventura Cigar Company was a part of the Phillips & King booth, both operating units under Kretek International. The story of the P & K booth was Ventura Cigar Company. It was the second trade show with Michael Giannini at the helm as Ventura Cigars’ General Manager. The booth […]
For several years, Ventura Cigar Company has been the premium cigar arm of Kretek International. Now it is set to become a full-fledged standalone business. This week, Kretek announced that Ventura will become a subsidiary. As a part of this effort, it will allow Ventura Cigar to focus on its own premium tobacco sales channel, and […]
Foundry Tobacco Company, a subsidiary brand under General Cigar Company, has been acquired by Kretek International, the parent company of Ventura Cigar. The acquisition puts Foundry back under the stewardship of the man who launched the brand for General Cigar, Ventura Cigar Company General Manager Michael Giannini. Under the transaction, the brands of Foundry will […]
Tobacco Media Group, the company behind the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) Trade Show and Tobacco Business magazine, has announced it has added Dawn Conger to its team. Dawn’s focus will be continuing to grow the TPE Show. Conger is best known to the cigar industry for her tenure as a part of the International Premium […]
