Constellation Brands exec to speak at Whitman April 22

Constellation Brands exec to speak at Whitman April 22April 14, 2009Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University will host a guest lecture by Lou Applebaum, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Constellation Brands, on Wednesday, April 22, at 5:15 p.m. in Room 103 of the Whitman School building. The lecture will focus on the strategic development of Constellation Brands and how it became one of the largest wine companies in the nation.

Applebaum joined Constellation Brands in November 2004 as the vice president of business development. In 2007, he was promoted to his current position, in which he oversees the U.S. sales council and focuses on commercial aspects of mergers and acquisitions, and strategy, as well as leading the company’s global marketing council. He is also responsible for the strategic planning process, which includes updating and internally communicating the company’s overarching strategy, integrating the strategy with the company’s long-term financial vision, and working with the operating companies to ensure alignment of strategies across the organization.

Prior to joining Constellation Brands, Applebaum was the senior marketing manager for contact lenses at Bausch & Lomb. From March 2000-August 2001, he held a global marketing position at the Tiffen Co., a camera optics and accessories specialist. He began his professional career with Canandaigua Wine Co. (a Constellation Brands company) as a research analyst. He holds a bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester.

Founded in 1945, Constellation Brands is headquartered in Victor, N.Y., and offers more than 200 beverage alcohol brands marketed in nearly 150 countries. The company has sales of more than $3.77 billion annually, operates more than 50 facilities, employs some 8,000 people worldwide, and sells or markets products in North America, South America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region.

For more information, contact Kseniya Evseeva at kevseeva@syr.edu or (646) 239-9236. Media queries can be directed to Amy Schmitz, director of communications at the Whitman School, at (315) 443-3834 or aemehrin@syr.edu.