NEW MOON SPIRITS - Key Persons
Tom McConnell has been in brand marketing and promotions for decades. He is the co-founder of the MoonPie Moonshine brand The brand was originally managed by the Beam Family at Limestone Branch Distillery. Tom picked up the brand under his newly created distribution company Old Salem Spirits and was able to secure the product with distributors and retailers throughout several states. The product line is a national collector beverage and is very sought after. Tom was in charge of many new changes in the product history that resulted in positive effects for sales increase.
These included changing the bottle from a mason jar to a more traditional and pourable whiskey bottle, thus resulting in the MoonPie Moonshine brand being served at bars with beverage s being served in mixed drinks or straight. McConnell's role as CEO took the brand from one state location to now being available in over ten states. McConnell was also the visionary behind the changing of the name from Moonshine, a small category, to a liqueur. Tom also handled national television promotions of the brand through national television on NBC Sports and CBS Sports.
With national television marketing, Tom has worked with ESPN, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Discovery Channel and History Channel, as a commentator and on air talent with the sport of truck and tractor pulling.
Tom founded the American Tractor Pullers Association (ATPA) which was the largest Tractor Pulling Organization in history, while securing major sponsorships, and large television deals, the likes of which rivaled marketing opportunities in motorsports such as NASCAR. Companies such as General Motors, Chevrolet, Duramax, Lucas Oil, Jasper Engines, Faygo Soft Drinks, Bubba Burger, RAM Truck, MoonPie Snack Foods and many other household names were managed for over two decades by Tom McConnell. Tom is now taking that level of promotion and showman ship and dedication into the Spirits Industr y.