Categories:

February 10 – April 30, 2021: 

• Brand Battle Competition Applications Accepted

• Brand Battle Competition Product Videos must be submitted

• Wholesaler Judge Volunteer Applications Accepted

April 30, 2021: Application Deadline for the following categories

• Vodka/Gin

• Tequila / Mezcal / Cachaça

• Ready-to-Drink / Hard Seltzer

• Rum

May 21, 2021: Application Deadline for the following categories

• Wines

• Low-Alc / No-Alc / Mixer

• Whiskey / Whisky / Bourbon / Scotch

• Cordial / Liqueur / After-Dinner Drink

May 21, 2021: Chosen competitors and judges announced for categories to be held in JUNE

June 4, 2021: Deadline for all competitors to have sent product to their specific judges (NOTE: If selected as a competitor, you will receive detailed shipping instructions.)

June 8 – August 10, 2021: Weekly Category Competitions to take place, Tuesdays at 1 pm EST. (NOTE: The weeks of July 4 & 18 there will be no competitions)

September 14, 2021: Brand Battle Championship

Applications for 2021 have closed, please register to watch and stay tuned for details about the 2022 Battle! Are you a new and/or emerging brand with limited distribution? Do you want the opportunity to pitch your story and product to a panel of industry experts and gain exposure to hundreds of industry enthusiasts?

Criteria to enter:

• Any wine, spirit, low-alc/no-alc, or hard seltzer brand new-to-market or emerging in the U.S. may enter.
• Product must have been introduced in the U.S. in 2019 OR is not widely distributed in the United States.
• Company must have a TTB license, and the product must have a  Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA) for products containing alcohol. This eligibility requirement is not applicable to non-alcoholic products.
• All product entries must be listed on a completed registration form, the entry fee(s) must be paid in full, and a 2-3 minute video submission must be received by April 30, 2021. Failure to submit any of these items properly may result in disqualification.
• All entries submitted accurately and on time, will be reviewed and considered for the competition.
• Presenter must be 21 years old or older.
• Entry fees, per category entered, are $500 for Associate Members; $650 for Non-Members. All entry fees are non-refundable.

Benefits to participating:

• Raise your brand’s profile, prestige, and credibility with industry decision-makers and influencers.
• Opportunity, if selected as a competitor, to showcase your product to top wholesaler decision-makers from across the country and receive valuable feedback.
• All entrants are featured in the Brand Battle Tournament Directory, whether or not selected as a competitor.
• Competitors are promoted in advance of and throughout the tournament. All competitors also receive digital images to promote their participation in this tournament.
• Establish confidence that your product has what it takes to excel in a dynamic marketplace.
• Learn how to improve your marketing, product and pitch, whether or not selected to compete.
• Gain insider insight into what makes brands successful.
• We work with our media partners to highlight the competitors and winners.
• Winners receive benefits in 2021, as well as at the WSWA Convention in 2022.

Selection Criteria: The following details the criteria the Selection Committee will evaluate when reviewing all applicants and determining competitors in each category.

Selection Committee will do the following for each entrant:

• Review the entry form and product description. Assess if the story or product is unique, new, trendy, and/or classic.

• Watch the entry video to determine if the presentation is dynamic and the story and/or product is compelling.
• Selection Committee will choose 5-6 competitors per category based on information provided in the entry form and video.
• All entrants will be notified, whether or not they are chosen to move forward as a contestant.
  • If an entrant is not selected as a contestant, the entrant will receive a feedback form from the Selection Committee with guidance on how to improve the pitch, and/or product.
  • Entrants selected to compete during the virtual event will receive an  email detailing how to send samples of their product to the judges for their competition.

VOLUNTEER NOW

Criteria to be a judge:

• Must work for a WSWA wholesaler member in good standing
• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must be able to receive samples at your wholesaler warehouse in advance of the competition
• Must have an expert understanding of the specific category you are interested in judging. Ability to articulate specific characteristics that make brands successful and insight into new products that will have a strong chance at succeeding in the marketplace.
• Must be willing to spend up to 60 minutes on a run-through preparation webinar and up to 90 minutes the day of the tournament on Zoom
• Consent to the tournament being recorded for viewing at a later time
• Industry designations are a plus, but not required

Are you an established brand or vendor who wants to get your name in front of wholesalers, suppliers, media and the public? Consider sponsoring the Brand Battle Tournament! We are committed to helping industry partners promote their products and services to our large audience comprised of over 14,000 distributors, suppliers, media, retailers, and others interested in the wine and spirits industry.

Benefits to sponsoring:

• This is a powerful opportunity for an established brand to reconnect and/or be rediscovered by industry experts, influencers and enthusiasts
• Be an industry leader in championing up-and-coming brands
• Company logo and contact information on Brand Battle Tournament webpage, in social media, included in marketing emails, and on slides at the end of each tournament
• Company listing in the Brand Battle Tournament Directory

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORING BRAND BATTLE TOURNAMENT

For more information, contact:

Nicole Anderson, Manager, Sales and Business Development
(202) 243-7510 | nicole@wswa.org