Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
MACS Official Brand Announcement - Full Circle K
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| Our New Brand Look |
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| Lynn Lambrecht and Derek Gaskins Check Presentation |
CSP Exclusive
Full Circle K
MACS becomes mid-Atlantic brand developer for national chain
By Angel Abcede
CSP Daily News
July 11, 2012 RICHMOND, Va. -- Not to be confused with the Mac's c-store brand also run by North American c-store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard, Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS) has opted to go with Couche-Tard's predominantly U.S. moniker, Circle K, as its go-to c-store brand.
Formed just two years ago from a series of major-oil and private-chain acquisitions, MACS will become what it is calling a "brand developer" for the Laval, Quebec-based Couche-Tard, having the flexibility to market and operate in four mid-Atlantic states while wielding the power of the brand and its existing programs. It's a decision that allows the new chain to focus its energies on conversion logistics and territory development.
In an exclusive interview with CSP Daily News, new CEO Dan Pastor said upon reviewing its options, the chain felt it had two routes: proprietary-brand development and licensed branding. "We asked ourselves, 'What is a brand and do we want to do this on our own or with a partner?'" he said. "If we can form the right partnership, then that could work."
"There are more than 3,400 Circle K's in the United States, but this will be the first footprint of the Circle K brand in the mid-Atlantic region of the country," said Dennis Tewell, vice president of franchising for Circle K, a division of Couche-Tard."We are excited and proud to begin the growth in this market with MACS. They are a very talented and well-led group."
The discussions, which began in earnest late last year as the new executive team formalized, led the Richmond, Va.-based MACS to Circle K.
What may surprise many in the industry is how little presence Circle K has in the markets that MACS operates in, said Derek Gaskins, senior vice president of marketing and merchandising for MACS, noting a handful of locations in the metro areas of Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Richmond. The new development territory covers four mid-Atlantic regions including, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.
Plans are to initially change over its company-operated locations, with options for its dealer network set to emerge over the coming weeks.
"We are based in growth corridors," Gaskins said. "When you look at both population density and people moving into the area, income levels, job factors ... it's is a very powerful region."
Another compelling factor was the deal struck regarding its brand-developer status. Calling the agreement "flexibility within a framework," it essentially allows MACS access to established Circle K programs with the ability to tweak or develop areas that MACS officials feel they can execute better.
As a bonus, MACS will be able to create stores that represent the best that the regionally focused Circle K has to offer, said Brad Williams, formerly with Cary, N.C.-based The Pantry and now senior vice president of operations for MACS.
"Many of these programs have not been rolled out nationally," Williams said. "We'll be able to take the new initiatives that have become popular in Phoenix and the West Coast and bring them all into the mid-Atlantic states in a big way."
The decision may lead many to wonder about the nature of the deal and what drove the tactical thinking. "I don't want there to be confusion," Pastor said. "We were not acquired by Circle K, nor do they have ownership. We are an independent company. We're now a regional developer for Circle K on an exclusive basis, so no one else can develop stores [in our area]."
Initially formed in mid-2010, MACS was created by the Greenwich, Conn.-based private equity firm Catterton Partners, which was intent on taking advantage of the fragmented c-store channel and its continuing consolidation.
In June 2010, MACS acquired a majority interest in Uppy's Convenience Stores Inc., Richmond, Va., and 170 c-stores and fuel stations from Houston-based ExxonMobil. Today, MACS is comprised of approximately 300 company-owned and dealer-operated retail locations throughout Maryland and Virginia, along with a wholesale, fuel-distribution network.
In April 2011, MACS held the grand opening of its new business-support center in Richmond. The 22,000 square-foot site consolidated four former headquarter locations into a single operations hub.
The leadership team building the MACS business officially began to assemble when Pastor arrived in April 2011. He brought with him more than 20 years of c-store, grocery and fuel-category experience, most recently at regional supermarket powerhouse Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh, and its c-store arm, GetGo.
Gaskins joined the organization in September of 2011, with over 15 years of retail experience in the fuel, convenience and grocery industries. At one point working with Pastor at Giant Eagle, Gaskins moved on to become vice president of marketing for NACS and still serves on its marketing and communications committee.
Williams then joined in February of 2012 after serving in the same capacity with the Pantry for several years. Additional executives include Don Bassell, CFO; Neil McCarthy, CIO; Chad Lusk, chief strategy officer; Tom Terry, general counsel; and Lynn Lambrecht, senior vice president of human resources, all of whom joined in the past year.
The team began exploring brand-development options in earnest in the fourth quarter of 2011. They pursued a two-pronged path: proprietary-brand development and a licensed-brand strategy.
Today, the company has 71 corporate locations, 230 wholesale dealer sites spanning Virginia and Maryland. The greatest concentration of sites is in Richmond, the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., the Maryland suburbs of D.C. and the Baltimore region. Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
From NACS to MACS...
Excited for the next chapter in my career, and another opportunity to transform the convenience retail landscape again...
http://www.cspnet.com/news/corporate/articles/nacs-macs
From NACS to MACS
Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores adds Gaskins to lead marketing, Lusk to oversee strategy
CSP Daily News | October 11, 2011 RICHMOND, Va. -- Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS), a major ExxonMobil fuel distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region, has announced the appointment of two new members to its executive leadership team. Chad Lusk has been named chief strategy officer, and Derek Gaskins will serve as senior vice president of marketing and merchandising.
Both appointments represent new executive positions within the MACS leadership team.
"As we position ourselves for rapid growth in the retail sphere, we are excited about the knowledge, experience and innovative approaches that Derek and Chad bring to our team," said Dan Pastor, CEO of MACS. "Each of these industry leaders has a proven track record of strategic consumer insight and the ability to leverage brand differentiation to create new market opportunities. We are confident in their individual abilities to contribute to the success of MACS."
Gaskins brings to the MACS leadership team more than 10 years of industry expertise, most recently serving as the vice president of marketing for the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). At NACS, Gaskins handled global marketing for all aspects of the association's offerings, including membership, the NACS Show, NACStech, NACS events, industry advocacy, government relations, research projects on industry best practices and consumer insights. He was also instrumental in the development of the mobile applications, social media, and digital strategies that helped the organization to better engage with retailers and suppliers of the convenience industry.
His prior experience includes branding and retail marketing roles for Procter & Gamble and at Giant Eagle Inc., where--as director of marketing for Giant Eagle's fuel and convenience retail business--he worked with Pastor, then vice president of fuel and convenience store operations for the Pittsburgh-based retailer. Pastor and Gaskins were both featured on the cover of the June 2007 issue of CSP.
Lusk most recently served as an engagement manager at McKinsey & Co., a leading global management consulting firm. There he was a client leader in the travel, transportation and logistics practice with a focus on large-scale performance transformations across numerous operational areas, including customer experience, frontline lean operations and fleet management. He also led growth strategy and performance turnaround efforts for several other clients with distributed networks, including retail and manufacturing companies.
Prior to McKinsey & Co., he was a global strategic sourcing specialist for ExxonMobil, serving its downstream lubricants and specialties division.
Gaskins and his team will lead development and execution of marketing and merchandising. Lusk will be responsible for overseeing strategic direction for MACS.
. Sphere: Related Content
Monday, August 29, 2011
Coca-Cola discusses their Social Media Strategy on the Blue Couch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZaoXJJE5Bw
Social Media continues to demonstrate it is the marketing medium of choice for today's consumers and brands. Hear firsthand how Coca-Cola has taken the lead, and continues to innovate in the realm of mobility marketing.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
E&J Gallo Glamourlife Kentucky Derby Weekend Afterhours
Kentuckiana get ready for the return to glamour. The 11th Annual E&J Gallo Glamourlife.com Kentucky Derby Weekend Afterhours Friday and Saturday May 6th and 7th @ The Mystery Mansion Warehouse, 835 Main Street, Downtown Louisville 12am – 6am both nights.
We invented the all-inclusive VIP afterhours experience! This year we are taking it up a notch with complimentary cocktails, wines, champagne, and appetizers. You heard it right, Two nights of lavish after hours fun from Midnight to sunrise featuring open bar, FREE food, DJ Markie D from Atlanta, and Louisville’s Finest, DJ QUE!!!
www.ticketweb.com/snl/EventListings.action?orgld=16558
Limited discount advance tickets available for only $25 each night, or $40 for an all-inclusive VIP weekend pass! Couch and Table Packages available too!! Visit Glamourlife.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-965-4827.
The E&J Gallo Glamourlife.com 11th annual Kentucky Derby Weekend AfterHours Friday and Saturday, May 6th & 7th @ the Mystery Mansion Warehouse, 835 Main Street, 12am – 6am both nights. sponsored by E&J Gallo, Barefoot Wines, New Amsterdam Gin, and Coca Cola! Another Gaskins, Mix Key & JRP Production. Call (502)-608-3822 or 412-GLAM-OUR(412-452-6687) for info or visit glamourlife.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Real Groove Masters Teaser live show 2.19.11
Unabridged, unbridled Funk in all its stench. My ship Kai is beasting. Check out real music by real musicians!
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