Unlock opportunities in China, join our exclusive webinars this month
With the support of Global Victoria, we are thrilled to present two webinar series focusing on market entry and expansion, eCommerce, and the social media landscape in China. We have partnered with China market experts Nimbility Asia and Brand Catalyser.
These webinars are open to wineries seeking to expand their footprint in China, as well as those entering the market for the first time. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and enhance your strategy for the Chinese market.
Learn more and register below.
China Market Webinar: Overview, Market Entry & Expansion with Nimbility Asia
Wine Victoria, with the support of Global Victoria, has partnered with market entry specialist Nimbility Asia to assist wineries in entering or expanding into the Chinese market.
We are pleased to invite you to an exclusive webinar hosted by the Nimbility Asia team. This session will provide valuable insights and strategies to help you establish or enhance your presence in China.
Following the webinar, Nimbility Asia will be offering a Market Entry Program for China, which will be partially subsidised by Wine Victoria on an application basis.
What to Expect:
- Market Overview: A comprehensive update on the current situation in China, focusing on H1 2024 performance and the distribution landscape.
- Premium Sector Insights: Exploration of opportunities within the premium wine sector, key consumer trends, and why Victorian wines are well-positioned.
- Opportunities & Risks: An assessment of market opportunities and potential risks, with advice on strategic engagement with importers for successful outcomes.
- Interactive Q&A: A robust Q&A session with Ian and Nichole, where you can ask detailed questions and gain further insights.
Meet your hosts:
Ian Ford, Founding Partner & CEO
Ian was born and raised in New York City, and attended Duke University, graduating with a BA in History and Mandarin Chinese. Following a year abroad in China in his college years, Ian relocated to China in 1995 to take up a career in the drinks business, with Seagram, marketing Martell Cognac, Chivas Regal Scotch, and Absolut Vodka. In 1999 Ian co-founded Summergate, a drinks importer, marketer, and distributor, with a mission to build the market in China over the coming decades. Ian also founded Pudao Wines in 2009 in Shanghai and Beijing, an award-winning fine wine retailer and experience center.
Ian’s early career focused on successfully building a strong China market for major brands like Concha y Toro, Penfolds, Villa Maria, Lafite, and Perrier mineral water. Ian has regularly presented on China at conferences in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, London, Sydney, Santiago and New York, and for over twenty years has been working closely with leading drinks brands building their markets across China.
In late 2014 Ian successfully sold the Summergate and Pudao businesses to Woolworths of Australia and continued to manage the business for Woolworths through 2016.
Ian is one of the Founding Partners of Nimbility, a market and brand building enterprise with an emphasis on Asia, delivering proprietary insights and analysis, strategy and execution across the region. Developing export and marketing strategies and assisting to implement these for wines and spirits brands is at the core of Nimbility’s offering. Ian works across all facets of the business including sales, marketing, brand ambassadorship and more. His passion for the industry and the brands he works with, along with his deep market knowledge and first hand experience, is second to none. Based out of Shanghai, Ian spends much of the year travelling and in particular to Japan, another of Asia’s most significant markets for imported wine and spirits.
Nichole Mao, Nimbility Partner & Head of China Sales & MarketingNichole started her wine and spirit journey at ASC Fine Wines in 2010, the then largest professional fine wine importer and distributor in China. Two years later, she joined Villa Maria, managing the Greater China market. 8 years with Villa Maria working with multiple importers and distributors enabled her to develop a robust and in-depth knowledge of China’s wine market, and a deep understanding of the wine trade and Chinese wine consumers.
A partner at Nimbility and Head of China Sales & Marketing, Nichole works with a team of experts, helping drinks producers from all over the world with brand building, route to market solutions and market intelligence in this complex yet dynamic drinks market.
Nichole is a WSET diploma holder, and is now studying for the Master of Wine examination.
China Market Webinar Series: Navigating eCommerce & Social Media in China
Wine Victoria, with the support of Global Victoria, invites Victorian wineries to participate in a webinar series Navigating eCommerce & Social Media in China.
This series, consisting of 10 x 1½ to 2- hour workshops will be hosted by industry experts Brand Catalyser, and will offer Victorian wineries a comprehensive understanding of the Chinese eCommerce and Social Media landscapes.
The series will provide an in-depth understanding of the Chinese eCommerce and Social Media landscape whilst educating participants on online and offline touchpoints. In addition, the program will explore key ecommerce platforms including Tmall, Douyin, and Little Red Book, develop marketing strategies to boost sales on ecommerce platforms whilst creating a roadmap for ecommerce success.
China Market Webinar Series: Navigating eCommerce & Social Media in China
Date: Every Friday from 20th September for 10 sessions
Time: 10:00am AEST via Zoom
Registrations: Register here.
We understand that this is a considerable time commitment so please be aware that the content will be available on the Wine Victoria website post each session.
