Godiva, Atkinson honor brokers

Godiva Sales Director Greg Woodhouse, BBI President Robert Taylor, Jr., and BBI Executive Vice President Jack Anderson and Chris Mattina, v.p. wholesale, Godiva Chocolate.

From left to right: Godiva Vice President North America-Wholesale Chris Mattina, Godiva CEO Jim Goldman, Godiva SVP GM Ed Jankowski, Brian Sisitzky of L. H. Sisitzky Sales and Godiva Sales Director Greg Woodhouse.

Godiva Chocolate has honored BBI as its broker of the year.

BBI exceeded its sales goals by 14% and exhibited excellent follow-through of Godiva’s retail plans, the gourmet chocolate manufacturer says. BBI also was instrumental in driving new business and elevating Godiva as a brand to the grocery consumer.

In addition, Brian Sisitzkey was named accounted executive of the year. Godiva says he was instrumental in leading Godiva to new heights in the grocery/drug class of trade and he helped navigate the complexities of the company’s new launch.

Godiva says Sisitzkey is always prepared with the fact of why and how to present new initiatives, both inside and outside the organization, and his leadership and insights have left a lasting impression with Godiva.

From left to right: Eric Atkinson, of Atkinson Candy Co.; Chris Chase, of Integrity/ESM; and Doyle Huntsman, of Atkinson Candy Co. Chase accepted the Atkinson Knock-Out Award at the annual breakfast.

Meanwhile, Atkinson Candy has named Burdette Beckmann, Inc.’s Virginia office as the 2011 Broker of the Year.

The candy manufacturer also honored the sales achievements of eight brokerages with All-Star Awards and presented its first Atkinson Knock-Out Award.

The All-Star Awards recognize valuable contributions in growing business through new accounts, overall sales performance and exceeding specific sales and distribution objectives. All-Star Awards went to Integrity/ESM; SummitHill Sales & Marketing, Inc.; Carlin O'Brien (Wisconsin); Fairley & Co., Inc.; Kahler-Senders Group; Acosta Sales & Marketing Co. (Michigan); Trend Sales, Inc.; and Dan Lalor Sales Co.

The Atkinson Knock-Out Award, a framed pair of boxing gloves, ties in with the company's sponsorship of mixed martial arts fighter Jessica Eye. The honor recognized brokerage Integrity/ESM for achieving the biggest sales increase for the Chick-O-Stick brand, which is Eye's favorite candy.

"Our broker partners have done a tremendous job driving sales of our brands forward this past year,” says Eric Atkinson, president of Atkinson Candy, says:” “We commend their achievements and look forward to their continued success."

For more information on Godiva or Atkinson, visit visit www.godiva.com or www.atkinsoncandy.com, respectively.