Rohnert Park, CA- During its fall 2014 seminar series the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University will launch its new Direct to Consumer Certificate. With DTC wine shipments on the rise, up close to 10% in 2013 and expected to grow exponentially in the coming year, the certificate is in response to industry demand for a more tailored and comprehensive program.
Each seminar in the series will address specific facets of the marketing and sales side of wine business like DTC marketing, wine clubs, events, social media, mobile commerce and tasting room sales. This certificate will give those in sales and marketing roles the essential tools and tactics to increase DTC sales across multiple retail channels.
Ron Scharman, Chief Operating Officer of Chatterbox Wine Marketing Services in Napa, will bring his wealth of knowledge and expertise in digital marketing for the wine industry to the teaching line-up in the “Direct to Consumer Marketing” seminars in November, offered both on the Sonoma State Campus and at Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley. Scharman currently teaches the “Wine eCommerce” course of the Institute’s online Wine Business Management certificate.
For more information, including details on the seminar-based certificates, visit www.sonoma.edu/winebiz or contact Erin Ringstad, erin.ringstad@sonoma.edu, or 707-664-3235
About Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute
Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute is located in the heart of California wine country and was created through a public-private partnership between the university and the wine industry. Founded in 1996, it is the first program in the United States to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees focused exclusively on the business aspects of the wine industry. In addition to its academic programs the Wine Business Institute offers an array of seminars and certificates. Its faculty members are published experts, active researchers, and requested presenters on pressing industry topics. The Wine Business Institute operates within Sonoma State’s School of Business and Economics, a fully accredited AACSB institution. Learn more at sonoma.edu/winebiz