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Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a unicorn in the spirits industry. No flashy bottle. No celebrity endorsements. No flavored vodkas. Just one meticulously crafted, fan-favorite product and a brand voice that feels more like a friend than a corporation.

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Taylor Berry, VP of Brand Marketing at Tito’s, to discuss:

How Tito’s grew from a Texas startup to the #1 vodka brand in the U.S.

Why they refuse to launch flavored vodkas despite massive industry pressure

The power of word-of-mouth marketing and bartender advocacy

How the new SpokesCart campaign embodies the brand’s ethos and drives engagement

Why their Vodka for Dog People initiative is more than just good marketing

Plus, Taylor shares insights on advertising strategies, in-person activations, and how to build a brand that people genuinely love.

🔊 Listen now to hear how Tito’s keeps winning by staying true to its roots.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction

02:03 - Taylor Berry’s journey from Apple to Tito’s

04:20 - The origin story of Tito’s Handmade Vodka

08:10 - Why Tito’s branding hasn’t changed in 25+ years

11:30 - How Tito’s became a craft vodka pioneer

14:05 - The bartender connection and word-of-mouth growth

16:00 - Why Tito’s refuses to launch a canned cocktail

19:00 - Vodka for Dog People: A philanthropic brand platform

22:20 - The thinking behind “With Tito’s” and the Spokes Cart

26:30 - How Tito’s rolled out their Spokes Cart ad campaign

30:00 - Measuring success without first-party sales data

34:00 - In-person events and the future of Spokes Cart

37:20 - Sticking to one product: No flavored vodka at Tito’s

Hashtags

#TitosVodka

#DTCmarketing

#BrandStorytelling

#SpokesCart

#TaylorBerry

#CraftVodka

#AlcoholMarketing

#DirectToConsumer

#DogLovers

#BrandAuthenticity

#MarketingCampaigns

#DTCpodcast

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Ep 495: How Tito’s Built America’s #1 Vodka Brand Without Celebrities or Flavors

DTC Podcast

Ep 495: How Tito’s Built America’s #1 Vodka Brand Without Celebrities or Flavors