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Marani zero basis holders making out big today! All on your hard earned dollars. Margrit and family becoming multi millionaires a second time around without selling anything and buying cheap internet advertising that's scripted to promote the stock so they can keep selling. October 2 friends. It will be shut down. Guarantee it.
No, a wholesale license can even be applied for online in most states for something like $100 and there are few restrictions and most take no more than 90 days and are rubber stamped.
I think you may be thinking about a retail serving liquor license. That's a whole different deal. Very tightly controlled, expensive and for that reason can also be very valuable. Many a deal for a restaurant, bar, lounge or other serving establishment has fallen through for lack of or loss of one.
No, these licenses should be cake. And just an aside, Dan mentioned Illinois on Money TV. Well that just was recycled information for impression. They already had that and have been listing Liquor Barn in Chicago for quite some time. Like I said, the content for the PR and Money TV is running thin. The international contracts getting recycled as well last Money TV along with all the same old other stuff like wine and cognac, additional product lines Costco, mysterious national retailers with no results. Margrit saying she didn't want to ruin the surprise and cackling? Paaalease. About as unprofessional as it gets. I think I saw Dan wince on that one.
Channel, acquiring licenses does not amount to growth or expansion. It's simply preparation for at attempt to grow and expand. I'll even consider it progress if that's a more benevolent term, but without and until such time there is distribution an actual sales it's just a lot of happy horse shit paper not worth anymore than the paper it's written on. Margrit could announce she just got a CDL and she's going to cut costs by delivering Marani herself but without a truck it's nothing. Fish with a bicycle.
This is what I said a couple weeks back. Marani is starting to run thin on PR that can be interpreted as growth. Thinner and thinner every day. Sooner or later it's going to have to be backed up with real sales numbers. Each day that passes without that confirmation will make each new non-sales specific PR, event, etc., less impactful and stress shareholder confidence and patience. The problem right now is exactly what's being questioned and talked about. No one can point to a single new event or significant revenue situation that would indicate growth and it is quickly going the other way with mounting debt and dilution.
That said, I'm going to disagree with Kyakk. You don't necessarily need profits to exhibit or confirm growth. Look at Amazon. They have yet to make money but the growth is phenomenal. But they post numbers and real data that can be converted into real growth calculations. They do not post vague PRs with the hope they will be interpreted as positive information and signs of growth.
The basic facts remain. They have 1383 cases of Vodka to sell. That's it. No more on the way confirmed. Their burn rate is $200,000 a month at minimum. In order to be profitable as Margrit said they will have to sell those cases at a minimum of roughly $1800 each. Do you see that happening? I'm also sure that's why Margrit changed her opinion on financials from profitable to "pleasant".
But if there's an actual factor which would point to any real growth I'm all ears. Just no one has presented any. So either Marani gets $1800 a case or they are going to show a huge net loss in the finacials in September, although, I still don't think you'll ever see them. It's just mathematically impossible to be anything other than disastrous. If you can tell me otherwise why they won't be. please do share but please put some facts and real numbers into it because as I said the only growing numbers we can actually confirm and depend on as absolutely factual and documented are debt, growing A/R. interest due, legal fees, tax liability, outstanding and issued shares and assuming at least some minimal sales, a shrinking static inventory.
I agree with Kyakk that Margrit and affiliates need another month to unload and I really do think that's what's happening. Let's remember that whomever has unloaded tens of millions of shares in the past week alone has no confidence in the stock otherwise they'd be hanging on. But if you paid zero basis and had no confidence you'd be selling like crazy and that seems to be happening. They see no growth. I think there's more to it and it's insider but regardless, every PR seems to be followed by a big sell-off at lower and lower prices. And also remember there's probably another 100-150 million shares out there at zero basis. They're all going to get out before the financials get out because the numbers I posted are undeniable and uncontested, based on fact and documented information and all confirmable even given total sell through which we all know hasn't happened. Not even close. Short of some kind of miracle, when and if those numbers hit, it's pretty much over because I guarantee you "pleasant" is nothing more than a stall and double talk for "our financials ain't going to be anywhere near where we promised before".
How do you define growth? What information do you have about the company that would signify growth? It can't be any fundamentals or financially based opinion because we don't have any of that. Getting licenses is not a sign of growth, anyone can do that. It's just a piece of paper until they ship and sell. Have they added personnel or sales people? Not that anyone knows and I'm sure expansion of their sales force would be a major announcement and Money TV spot. Have they increase orders and inventory? Doesn't appear so. There appears to be no signs of growth at all other than personal opinion. The only growth we know about for sure is the growing A/R, tax liability, accumulated loss and outstanding and issued shares. Those area have all shown significant growth.
Not even remotely similar. I simply questioned Senters absence from the Money TV spot and the debacle at Costco and didn't feel that Dan Senters could still be there to have such buffoonery going on. If anything it was giving him credit for professionalism that I saw as suddenly lacking. I still sort of feel that way and wonder what his involvement is at this point. If the recent fiascos were his work I'd have to question him going forward but if his compensation is tied to the stock he may have no choice but to put in an appearance to quell any suspicions of his departure. Two things, it seems to me that the horrible missteps of recent have Margrits fingerprints all over them. Second, how would you explain these missteps with Dan the Man in charge? That's the part I just don't get.
Yup. I'll admit my suspicions appear to be wrong, but that makes me wonder about him. How could he let Margrit go it alone on Money TV creating such a train wreck of an interview? And how on earth being a distribution expert do a store promo without enough stock? Just doesn't add up. I'm really not sure what to think. Perhaps he's enjoying the benefits of the insider stock as well as the rest of the zero basis holders. Maybe he's sticking around long enough to get paid. Maybe he's got no better place to go. What know but he certainly can't be satisfied with what's been sold or the sales and marketing effort being put behind the product.
What exactly do you base that on? I mean what is your method and formula for valuation? I'm having trouble seeing your valuation using any traditional multiple of earnings. A very simple analysis of the company at .03 would put market cap at $16,500,000. I'm curious what you're using as a number for earnings and what value you are estimating as a multiple? Just curious to know what your breakout is to arrive at that valuation.
By industry fundamentals, the range of multilples to earnings in anywhere from 7%-15%. So to estimate a price of $.03 PPS you would need to see a minimum of over $1 million in net profit, at the highest end of the multiple scale. At the lower end, you'd have to see closer to $2.4 million in net sales to hit that PPS.
The reason I question your valuation method is short of you having certain financial information that nine of us have, I can't see any basis for this price estimate or even anything close to it. Given the amount of product they have available for sale their maximum would be the one container imported (using the values for such that CJ posted) which at industry standard 12-13% margin would produce only $18,000 in net profit. This would require application of a multiple of over 900X which is patently absurd to even entertain. Is that how you're estimating value or are you depending on some unknown magical never before seen I the industry sales increase?
Saying I want the stock to get to a certain price is one thing. Claiming it is undervalued and is worth a specific amount really requires some basis and calculations to back it up. So just wondering if you could post those calculation or confirm that it's just a wish.
One thing I caught in the Money TV thing. Dan said the promotion created a 500% increase in sales. Do I believe that? Yes. But it's double speak. It only means they sold nothing in the first two months. Here's my scenario. Each store took four cases or 24 bottles. Run rate average per store was 10 bottles a month leaving each store with 4 bottles for the promotion. Clearance of the remaining stock produced a high run rate based on one day. Was it 500%? Sure, why not but it is deceptive and misleading. If it were of any scale greater than that you wouldn't be seeing five year old tax stamps on the promotion bottles. This is why getting the numbers not just the news is important. Words can be twisted. Numbers are empirical. You made $x in profit not the profit will be pleasant. You sold x units, not you sold out. It's all relative. Like I said, if the real numbers were good they'd be announcing them with excitement. Instead they chose to hide behind percentages, buzz words, attention getting terms like sold out and all the things that allow the truth to be veiled.
Sold out? Big re-order? But no numbers. For all you know it could be 26 cases sold and 13 cases reordered. It's just talk and specific numbers were kept out of the conversation for very specific reasons and intent. Sales are bad and reporting them would be bad for the stock. This way they can let the speculators imagine and dream. If he numbers were good they would have reported them. They're hiding the facts and real story. It sounds a whole lot better to say we sold out hyphen to say we sold 26 cases in two months which doesn't cover Margrit and Ani's car for a month. Any investor in this company should look at the numbers not the hype and vague rides of Money TV comments left to interpretation.
Nothing about unit sales... And of course as I expected they claimed to have sold out which means absolutely nothing without unit sales numbers. And I've got news for you. That planned pleasant financial news coming at the end of September is just 3 days short of my predicted shut down date and the end of Margrits indemnification agreement. Not that it matters. The financials will be disastrous. They just kept it propped for another 45 days so they can suck out the rest of the cash available. Keep buying though. But be aware the music will end in 45 days and there won't be many chairs available. What she has promised is mathematically impossible by the way by anything other than rationalization or some bizarre interpretation. Available product for sale less expenses at this point can only end in a multi million dollar loss for the year. How something pleasant is going to come from that is a mystery to me so it makes me think it's just talk to keep the thing going for another 45 days.
And just for those who would challenge any of that here's what you need to prove. They have a maximum net profit of $50,000 on what they've imported this entire year and nothing more coming. They burn $200,000 a month in expenses. Do the math. Where are there any pleasant numbers In any of that? It's a pipe dream and a smoke and mirrors show. After September 30th, Margrit won't care anymore and won't have to answer to it. She'll be gone. I can't see her trying to justify the losses after promising pleasant results. I did notice she didn't say profitable or cash flow positive this time. I'm sure she was severely reprimanded for that comment but please remember she said that back in June and at it would be two months. We'll see.
Disagree with you Schnaps. I don't think Dan is responsible. The guy was a middle manager distribution guy with a private labeler. No direct consumer product experience but he presented very well and seemed to know a lot about the business and space. She on the other hand was an absolute train wreck. Was he capable of guiding and leading a national brand and launch? I think not. But not really his fault. It was Margrit's doing. He was the best game in town for her and the best she could do given her and the company's history. Paul Fuegner was not coming back. My guess is like his predecessor Fuegner, her antics and focus on the stock play and not the product or brand, crazy inside deals, deals with herself, etc. drove him out. He was probably gung ho and ready to go at the outset but soon found himself given little rope, little resources and forced to depend on marketing and cheesey events from companies like Zodiac directed by Maargrit whom we believe to be a satellite company for Margrit the former president and officer of Zodiac. Other venues for marketing and sales were probably off limits. His hands were tied. Just took a little while to figure it out and now he's most likely whiting out his resume and job seeking.
MRIB is benefiting greatly today from the news and third party promo. Looking forward to a nice run ahead in the weeks to come.
I hope this isn't too off topic but how does one post a picture. I wanted to show a picture of the display space that was offered to Marani for the national broadcast this weekend. Nothing better than national coverage and worldwide TV for a consumer product regardless of distribution points or availability. MRIB needs branding and an unknown first year hokey awards show organized in the last few months ain't going to cut it.
Well, no offense but that's not the impression that has been given nor the concept that's being presented here on the board so aggressively. It's a two way street. Either national ads are coming or they're not. Saying what you're saying is simply rationalizing the lack of national ads. So just to clarify, there is no immediate plan for national ads and Marani is going to run regional cable/affiliate ads in California for a while and then go through the same process 49 more times for the other 49 states? That sounds like a very long tedious plan to reach small audiences but so be it. And going by your estimation of their approach, the audience is going to be incredibly small for quite some time. I'm in San Francisco so I won't be seeing any ads because you can't buy Marani here. Also live half the year in Miami and it's the same deal there. They're licensed in both states but out of three of the biggest markets in the country their advertising needs to be contained to just Southern California. Doesn't make much sense to me in pursuing any type of significant volume sales plan.
I still believe a better approach is to go national and if they're not covered in a given market, no biggie. It doesn't make the company look bad either. If enough people come in and ask for it the distributor or retailer will begin to take notice. And it is a plan that most certainly covers a significantly larger audience in the markets they do operate and are available for sale with a far more simplistic media plan and buy. The nickel and dime media and events is tedious and ultimately more costly approach in time, effort and management.
Actually the broadcast coverage last event probably reached over a million people in markets Marani is licensed and or has distribution. Furthermore it was stated over a month ago that national advertising would be complete in two weeks. So, it sounds like your premise is your own and not Marani's. They certainly seemed to suggest national exposure would be very short term in coming not in the bullpen waiting for national distribution to be put into place. And your probably right that the proposal went straight to the circular file. I really don't think Marani is interested in national product exposure or any exposure for that matter that can't be channeled through Zodiac and the like that can simply be announced on OTC and sources that basically spotlight the stock and not the product. Offer remains open though. See ya'll on TV tomorrow!
Verax, I see mrib, their stock, operations, management, etc. and the business of offering them a targeted marketing opportunity exclusive and unrelated. I may not think much of the company as reflected in my posts but business is business. If they've got disposable marketing dollars to give to Zodiac for cheesey non impact events my thought was offering a high impact national event that fits a spirits company perfectly might be great for MRIB. Perhaps they associated me with the proposal and just don't like me! Wouldn't hold that against them but what it comes down to this board is one thing but business is business and MRIB bang for the buck on exposure. And the sponsorship offered was not very expensive. Matter of fact, it was downright cheap on a relative basis. I would venture to bet it was less than what zodiac and Seattle Sound got.
I would just like to see Maranifollow through on promises of national exposure and gave them an easy entry and opportunity that was dismissed and I would question why. Perhaps their marketing program is set and this opportunity only came into play bat a month ago but no response at all is disappointing given the loft goals and promises that have been made to shareholders regarding national rollout. I'll certainly continue to ping them on it as we have three more events this year, all with the same media coverage program. Maybe someone seen less as a villain making the suggestin to MRIB might open their eyes to the opportunity and what national TV can do for a consumer brand like Marani. Cheers.
This is a "Material" fact. Per Mr. Berg and pertaining to MRIB.
"Meanwhile, another spirits company took the sponsorship that I offered to Marani and will be broadcast both live on a worldwide internet feed this week and again on a 2 hour national broadcast on FOX next weekend. Both great time slots as well. Expected viewing audience for all broadcasts worldwide is expected to be over 10 million. Not to mention the 20,000 in foot traffic at the event where samples and merchandise will be distributed."
Old news and another check for Zodiac Brands and most likely Margrit for a first year, second, non-televised awards show for regional unknown hip-hop performers. But going for YouTube to this show is probably a big step for the performers. Does nothing for Marani. If anything it just extends the streak of cheesey events and promotions.
Meanwhile, another spirits company took the sponsorship that I offered to Marani and will be broadcast both live on a worldwide internet feed this week and again on a 2 hour national broadcast on FOX next weekend. Both great time slots as well. Expected viewing audience for all broadcasts worldwide is expected to be over 10 million. Not to mention the 20,000 in foot traffic at the event where samples and merchandise will be distributed.
Marani must get away from second rate regional promotions and attempt something with a national audience if they are to get any traction. Even if they were to sell 1000 bottles in every state it would only generate a little over $650,000 net. And going one state at a time like they're doing they will be out of business long before they get there considering only two or three states penetrated in almost a year so far and only new container that has obviously not sold through. Margrit said it was paid for, not sold by the way. Big difference and I have a good idea about who paid for the shipment. John Q. Shareholder.
Has MRIB paid its 250K payroll tax yet?
YES! And then hope to sell them for more than zero if you're lucky. Three Graces, Cognac, fake international contracts like 2009, non-existent promises of national advertising and marketing, lame promotions and cheesey sponsorship events are no longer enough to prop the stock pps.
MRIB needs to publish real numbers and unfortunately they can't. I'll bet they haven't sold $50,000 in product. The decline will only continue. The only thing that could stop it are sales numbers through the roof that exceed greatly the $200,000 a month in expenses. Not only will they never come close, you'll never find out until it's all over. They'll just keep quiet and load off as much stock on their own and through their shell companies and affiliates until the doors shut just like 2009. ECO should be making a ton. Margrit as well. It gets to be less and less every day but it's free money until it ends. Coming soon. Dan Senters is still a no show. Let's see if he shows up again. Doubt it. It's shut down mode. October 2nd should be the lock down date.
She'll probably go off about how Marani does not want to be a PR factory. Go off about how stockholders need more patience and better haircuts. Then, Dan will take over and announce we sold out Costco. Can only dream. It would be cool if she would give a shout out to some of us.
JJ, we already know they're poorly run but Costco doesn't run a promotion with a product that can't fill a shelf space. They'd make sure there was plenty of product on hand for any serious promotion. If you notice in the pictures there is no empty space in the Vodka and, no Marani. Looking a lot like they were just trying to clear it out because another SKU obviously took the Marani space and Marani got the "bargain table".
You compare this to a Fortune 500 company? It's not. It's not even a revenue positive company. It's a mom and pop at best. Margrit is not some big time executive. She's a failed collection agent who decided to start a vodka company. She's not a commission man knocking on doors that needs a car for business. Just because they're public doesn't mean they should be shelling out bucks like it was IBM to everyone who calls themselves an executive. she isn't she's an overweight 52 year old woman with no experience, no background in the field, a track record of miserable failure and a penchant for largesse that should not be tolerated.
This is not a corporation under those standards it's a startup. That's the problem. The siblings are treating it like a personal piggy bank hiding behind the standards of companies 1000X their size and sales. They're sucking money out of this company any and every way they can. Cars, health insurance, life insurance, personal expenses, friend's charities, shell companies, non arm length stock deals, hokey inside employee programs, doing deals essentially with themselves without controls or governance. What spirits company sponsors Armenian charities as a habit which have no branding impact whatsoever and no media coverage other what the company can hype it as? And $200K salaries for all of them? What do they do? None of them have a single ounce of experience or background in the industry. They failed so miserably the first time around there's no doubt it's just going to happen again.
Right now there is not a single different approach in their game plan. Not a single one. False promises of international contracts delayed and eventually never happen. National retail placement tests that go south and fade away after poor sales. Lots of cheesey PR and events and promises of more that never happened and then we find out the company being paid for such had Margrit as its president. This whole thing sticks to high heaven and not a single person has an explanation for it other than to try and negate or hide the facts to try and keep the pps from crashing like a rock which it eventually will.
Haha Kayak... The point I'm making is these events they're doing and paying Zodiac don't make sense. They are totally ineffective and a waste of time and money. It really can only be one of two things. Events they can post PR about that don't cost very much or possibly they do cost a lot through Zodiac and the company s just funneling money out of the company coffers to Zodiac and what happens to it from there? Your guess is as good as mine but none of it has any effect on branding.
And I'll bet anything you never see a national ad, print or media. Supposed to be finished a month ago and still nothing. They couldn't afford a ten second spot on the Cartoon Channel. It was all just a hype announcement to get people thinking they'd have national ads. And I'd have to go back and check but did Margrit say national broadcast advertising or that she was hiring a firm for national media coverage... BIG difference.
What was verified? What is old news? A post was made referencing a letter opining that Marani was honestly reporting and truthfully reporting to OTC and the fact is they were not and still are not which is not old news but current news. It can't just be blown off. It is far more material than speculation on sales and vapor marketing, advertising, PR and infomercials.
Speaking of which, did you know that after taking in many, many millions of dollars in 2009 from investors Magrit spent less than $7,000 on marketing and advertising and only $17,000 in 2008. It's in the 10Ks if you'd like to check. How can a company spend only $25,000 over two years on a consumer product let alone take in and burn $30,000,000 with virtually $0 going to the most important aspect and plan for any consumer product? These PR events are bogus too. They're all a machination of Zodiac Brands which Margrit probably gets a cut out of. The Armenian charity? The boat race no one saw? The Seattle Sound Festival (first year by the way, with not a single name I recognize attending). How much is she dumping on this garbage and more importantly to whom?
I probably spend less for a single event and get major television coverage 14 weeks a year live and another 14 weeks rebroadcast which is what Marani should be doing but I think these cheesey events are inside deals and using real PR and sponsorships would take money out of her pocket. And if you think Marani can't do it, here's proof it can be done, and, any day of the week I could have Marani on television the next two weekends on a major network (FOX). But they would never do it because they've got some deal going on with Zodiac.
Proof it can be done...
http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/2014-indianapolis-motor-speedway-race-broadcast?invalidate-cache=1399347669
This sponsorship was signed, sealed and delivered for this event in under a week right down to graphics, literature, collateral, hospitality and not to mention 25,000 in foot traffic. Just see what effective sponsorship can get.
Points of interest, 16:35, 103:15, 104:32, 105.04, 109:54, 114:30, 115:16, 117:00, 122:50, 124:22, and most of all 125:11 and 127:45. Just look at all the National TV time on FOX and I bet it was cheaper than what Marani is paying Zodiac for unattended, esoteric, third tier unknown events with no national impact or branding at all. I believe the network audience for ths example was over three million, another two million on the internet live feed and a million more on the archived broadcast. That's marketing my friends. By the way, other spirit companies represented there were, Patron, Martini, Absolut, Bacardi, a ton of smaller companies like MRIB and many others. MRIB marketing is a mess and even a part timer like myself could do better.
I think that's wishful thinking Tape but for you I hope it happens. Personally I think the PR train has stopped at its last station and is out of fuel. I don't think any amount of PR, especially of the quality that seems to be Marani's style. The only thing that's going to save this stock is a stellar quarter of sales and profits and I really have a hard time seeing that given the facts we have and what little facts the company has released. With only one container imported it is mathematically impossible to show a profit. Mater of fact it's going to be a massive loss. On a side note, the good catch by one poster here of the old tax stamp tells me Costco was still working of what was left of the old inventory and nothing off the new container. Margrit said the new container had been paid for... very clever but deceptive. She didn't say it had been sold and I doubt much if any has moved out of that container if they're still working over old inventory which by the way they listed at only $100,000 gross.
My analysis would show the following. Moving to Q2 from the last published unaudited financials the company had zero cash, $100,000 in inventory with $2500 in sales. They did receive another container so they have another $200,000 of inventory but there is significant reason to believe it's sitting in a warehouse until the old inventory is gone. With a burn rate of what must be close to $200,000 based on previous 10Qs and the G&A from the latest financials, expenses to date (end of Q2) would be $1.2 million. Assuming generously that all the old inventory has been moved that would represent a $46,000 in gross margin sales. I think conservatively you are looking at a loss for the quarter of at least $1.15 million or a loss of $.002 per share. Given the $2M in A/P and other issues I would also assume the cash position going into Q3 is extremely low if any.
It will be very interesting to see if the Costco store restock. Again, hope for your sake they do because that's about the only sales channel they have. Look for more dilution, more cheesey cheap PR and lots of fluff. It ain't going to be enough anymore.
Again, the letter from the attorney is yet another "partial proof" document presented in an attempt to mislead trying to support facts we know to be genuinely untrue. Just because a lawyer wrote it doesn't make it true or fact. In this case we know the letter to be of incorrect opinion and/or confirmation of the data submitted by Marani.The letter requires full DD. In this case it is being presented as absolute proof and information we know to be factual negating the veracity of the claim has been intentionally omitted.
We know for a fact that there were well over 175,000,000 shares issued at the time of the letter (I think VeronicaFox can confirm that and has in the past). Yet Marani we know for a fact that Marani continued to report the lower number of O/S depite requests to correct it and be truthful. I would say this attorney might have a little trouble in the future albeit minor, but opining on something that is within his ethical duty to check either wasn't or was untruthful. Either way the letter is meaningless and as has been said, OTC is not a governing agency. Anything reported by the company goes and there is no follow up, enforcement, investigating, fact checking, etc. It certainly does not make Marani a reporting company by definition. They remain an un-reporting, unaudited company for many years now.
Three bottles here, four bottles there... No restock in preparation for a successful promotion? Sounds an awful lot like a clearance. It will be interesting to see how much, if any, Costco restocks. You have to understand the way these tests work. Not all the deals are the same but general policy for tests are co-op based. The company pays $X amount for the space as a slotting fee, sometimes in cash, sometimes in product or combination. Costco issues a recourse PO for the initial order. If the product doesn't sell out it generally gets pulled and remaining stock gets put on clearance and/or sent back to the vendor. No vendor wants to take back product especially if it represent less than positive sell through nor do they want to be on the hook for the cash value of the return and subsequent credit so they will usually do a steep discount to try and complete the sell through. The fact that it seems non of these stores were adequately supplied is not a miraculous weekend of sales but clearance of the remaining balance of the initial order that had two months to sell and didn't. It will be interesting to see if Marani is on the shelves next week especially at Fullerton and Burbank. One other odd thing to me is that ere was no Marani on the shelf, just the four bottles on the table. That's not usually how the promotions go. The promotion is suppose to drive people to the stocked shelved product. Instead Marani got replaced by another SKU, probably because they started with less than a fully stocked shelf which Costco will not do!
Just an interesting item to look for. I think October 2 will be an important date. Back in 2008 when Magrit resigned, wrote herself a sweet severance deal and vested all of her stock and options she also wrote herself a complete indemnification agreement releasing her from every and any liability of her own actions related to Marani. Guess what, that agreement runs out October 2 and Margrit will no longer be indemnified from liability. But then again, with no corporate governance or controls she'll probably just fire herself again and write a new agreement take another sweet severance deal and go dark. And guess what, I bet you'll never see any audited financials from this company again, ever. But mark that date on your calendar because it also marks some other milestones like international contract promises, official filings, and what I would now estimate would be the point of exhaustion of shares for the company to raise capital.
Very simple. A material fraud. If the company says he's an employee and officer and he isn't it's fraudulent. You'd find out soon enough but it might buy time. They have little to risk saying anything other than yes, he's still there. No one would ever do anything. And as I said, for your sake and many others I hope it's not true but all signs point to it. Either that or he's not the guy many thought he was.
The Dan deal is easy to clear up. Just call the company and ask if Dan is still an employee, officer, etc. Get the name of the person you talked to and don't forget to ask if he has submitted any type of resignation or intention to leave. If the company says no, then you're in the clear. If they say yes, well... that's that. If they say no and it is in fact true then you have them on fraud because that would be a material event involving an officer and an 8K would also have to be filed. Pretty simple.
The thing that bothers me Kayakzz is there's an old trick in this type of corporate shell game. It's called the hidden recision agreement. It's quite illegal in a public company without public notice but not uncommon and rarely pursued legally. It's basically a fraudulent conveyance but takes lots of legal expenses to prosecute so stockholders usually don't bother.
Basically what happens is the public entity does all its business through a wholly owned subsidiary which keeps separate books. What shareholders don't know is that their is a recision agreement that was part of the acquisition that states if the parent company goes BK, the subsidiary reverts with all of its assets to another party or parties free and clear with all of the liabilities stuck with the parent. (see US V. DiLorenzo and US v. DiMauro). My question is what is the need for Marani Spirits? Why isn't it just Marani Brands, Inc.? Sounds very fishy.
That would be great for the company Tape. For your sake I hope it happens. I really think he's the face and voice they need not to mention the only one with any experience in the space. But, I wouldn't bet on it. Just hope Margrit doesn't try to go it alone again!
If he's not there and/or remains off the radar, I'm sure the company will say he's unavailable or on vacation, leave, etc. for a while and he'll keep quiet until his compensation comes through if it does, but that's pretty much it. Any executive worth his/her salt can see what's going on and see not only is it dangerous from a personal liability side it could be pretty detrimental to future career plans. The stink of a two time loser that's blown through $30 million and has no sales to show for it? Pretty tough stench to shed. Better to cut and run and start the damage control.
Yea. I hate to break it to you CJ, but all signs point to the probability that Dan has sailed. The absence from the Money TV spot, an embarrassing appearance by Margrit pitching new products they don't have or sell just like in 2009, zero additional sales distribution points or retailers. A cheesey bumbling effort at store demos so mismanaged that it could only be the product of someone with no experience of doing such and at the end of the day really looked a lot more like a clearance sale than a promotion. Not anything I could see Dan involved with.
That said, I don't think Dan Senters is the spirits God many have made him out to be but compared to margrit he's all they had going. Presented well, obviously knew the business, seemed to understand and communicated the points well. He even seemed to wince a little every time Margrit opens her mouth which I give him great credit and sympathy for. Margrit is just a train wreck and I think you probably face the fact that it's now the Margrit show exclusively. Yup, too bad, but it certainly looks like Dan's gone.
Dan wasn't on vacation. He's gone. Just like Paul Fuegner. Saw too much BS, realized it was going nowhere, maybe missed a check or two and didn't want to get stink on himself when the shit hits the fan. He's probably at home removing Marani from his resume. I saw on one of the state reports that Dan was an officer. If I were him, finding out about ECO, Zodiac, Deborah Ridge, Charlie Owen, et. al., I'd be running for the hills, far and fast. I doubt the company has the money or even bothers with D&O insurance so he'd probably be prudent to distance himself from the actions of the company.
Brings up a second point and maybe someone can clear it up for me. I don't understand the merger transaction and company structure. Marani Brands, Inc. is the public entity, a Nevada corporation current and active. Marani Brands, Inc., forfeited their California business license some time ago. Marani Spirits, Inc. is a California corporation and has the business license in California that is active. How does this all work? By law, Marani Brands, Inc. being FTB suspended exposes them to all sorts of bad things in the jurisdiction of California for one but ignoring that, how does this shell game work? Are there separate books for Marani Spirits? Why the need to have Marani Spirits? The payroll tax issue? I dunno' but I'd sure love to see some itemized audited financials because this all smells very fishy.
And then Zodiac. Yet another cheesey event coming up for Marani and of course Zodiac is attached, the company Margrit is listed as past president and officer. What's the relationship? Marani is obviously paying Zodiac but is she still involved? For every dollar that goes to Zodiac does she got a chunk? And more news, guess who else is tied to Zodiac Brands...? Yup, Same ECO/Marani crowd, Charlie Owen, Deborah Ridge, etc. Some serious disclosure is required. And please take note of the Tustin Address. It's Marani's address. Guess they didn't get around to covering their tracks and changing their addresses on this one. Instead they just tried to take themselves off the annual list with a filing in January of this year, but guess what, you can't change the historical data. Same thing with ECO. Same thing with Marani Brands. And for the link requestors:
http://nvsos.gov/sosentitysearch/CorpDetails.aspx?lx8nvq=HJwiY5f81xDnfiHp8ptq4w%253d%253d&nt7=0
Business Entity Information
ZODIAC BRANDS, INC
Status: Active File Date: 2/27/2006
Type: Domestic Corporation Entity Number: E0138892006-0
Qualifying State: NV List of Officers Due: 2/28/2015
Managed By: Expiration Date:
NV Business ID: NV20061514744 Business License Exp: 2/28/2015
Additional Information
Central Index Key:
Registered Agent Information
Name: NEVADA PROCESSING CENTER, INC Address 1: 6490 W DESERT INN RD
Address 2: City: LAS VEGAS
State: NV Zip Code: 89146
Phone: Fax:
Mailing Address 1: Mailing Address 2:
Mailing City: Mailing State: NV
Mailing Zip Code:
Agent Type: Commercial Registered Agent - Corporation
Jurisdiction: NEVADA Status: Active
View all business entities under this registered agent
Financial Information
No Par Share Count: 0 Capital Amount: $ 20.00
Par Share Count: 2,000.00 Par Share Value: $ 0.01
Officers Include Inactive Officers
President - MARGRIT EYRAUD
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
Director - RICHARD MELLAND
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
Secretary - CHARLES OWEN
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
President - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Secretary - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Treasurer - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Director - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Treasurer - DEBORAH RIDGE
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
Business Entity Information
Status: Active File Date: 2/27/2006
Type: Domestic Corporation Entity Number: E0138892006-0
Qualifying State: NV List of Officers Due: 2/28/2015
Managed By: Expiration Date:
NV Business ID: NV20061514744 Business License Exp: 2/28/2015
Additional Information
Central Index Key:
Registered Agent Information
Name: NEVADA PROCESSING CENTER, INC Address 1: 6490 W DESERT INN RD
Address 2: City: LAS VEGAS
State: NV Zip Code: 89146
Phone: Fax:
Mailing Address 1: Mailing Address 2:
Mailing City: Mailing State: NV
Mailing Zip Code:
Agent Type: Commercial Registered Agent - Corporation
Jurisdiction: NEVADA Status: Active
View all business entities under this registered agent
Financial Information
No Par Share Count: 0 Capital Amount: $ 20.00
Par Share Count: 2,000.00 Par Share Value: $ 0.01
Officers Include Inactive Officers
President - MARGRIT EYRAUD
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
Director - RICHARD MELLAND
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
Secretary - CHARLES OWEN
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
President - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Secretary - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Treasurer - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Director - DORAN S RAMOS
Address 1: 2353 CROTONA AVE. APT 4A Address 2:
City: BRONX State: NY
Zip Code: 10458 Country: USA
Status: Active Email:
Treasurer - DEBORAH RIDGE
Address 1: 15941 RED HILL, SUITE 201 Address 2:
City: TUSTIN State: CA
Zip Code: 92780 Country:
Status: Historical Email:
4 Bottles? Stop the presses! And half of that bought by a Marani investor. Problem with that is the $48 in gross margin sales couldn't even cover the cost of the guy working the table let alone the cost of the co-op. You do realize these in-store deals are paid for, right? And nothing on the shelf? Sure sounds like a clearance sale. How could Dan Senters be so ill prepared? I can't see that happening from anybody with 25 years in the distribution business. Nope. As I said, I think he's had enough of Margit, cheesey promotions, Money TV and the rest of the shenanigans and has moved on. His absence from the last Money TV spot is certainly unexplainable. Vacation? Nonsense. Could have shot that bit anytime. The only vacation involved I would think is probably a permanent one. If not, both the absence from Money TV shot and having no such little product for a demo are just horrendous missteps. And, they were expecting another order but it didn't happen? How can that happen? Worst case is Marani is only about an hour or two away from any of the 13 stores involved.
Just goes to show. It was about the announcement of the demo to the public securities market not selling product. To not have product on hand for an in-store demo is one of three things. A total matter of marketing buffoonery, a clearance sale on an item to be discontinued, or a bait and switch program. I doubt $5 off Marani is anything like the $250 big screen TV so rule out the bait and switch and it's one of the first two.
And now we also have confirmation of no tastings as well. And I'll say this. If Dan Senters is in fact still with the company and is as good as everyone says or thinks, this would never happen. Me thinks Dan has sailed and no it will be reliance on the three bumbling siblings who know nothing about marketing, sales, consumer product or business for that matter. Good luck with that!
"Why did you value each bottle on the container at : $2.94? There were approx 17,000 bottles in that container. $50,000 /17,000 is $2.94 makes no sense. Must be a fact because you say so. Bottle retails over $25 a piece"
First, we don't how many bottles there were. We do know there were 1389 cases from the BOL. If all were 1L bottles that would be 8334 bottles. It's definitely nowhere near 17,000 bottles. Personally I don't think there were any .75 L bottles because the shipment predates the announcement by quite a bit and any .75 L bottles probably came from a separate small quantity production run not in a container. But we don't know so safer to just go with an estimated case price. We've been told by CJ that the case gross margin price is $105. I bumped it up to account for the possibility of some higher margin .75 L bottles. Let's call it a very generous $130 a case average. That's $181,000 in gross margin sales. At 30% margin, max net profit would be, and I stand corrected at $50,000, $54,000. Keep in mind that they've also dropped the price $5 a bottle which would bring it well below $54,000 anyway.
The problem here is no one ever takes into account the expenses. Just looking at gross sales numbers is deceptive. To manipulate and post them as if they were profits is terribly misleading. Anyway, and I'll give you the $54,000, it makes all the sense in the world. And to tell you the truth, the way the siblings burn through cash I truly doubt they're operating at 30% profit margins.
This is the problem with a company that doesn't report. You're left to guess. That's what the company wants. The euphoric holders will exaggerate to the high side as much as possible and ignore everything but gross sales trying to give the impression it's pure profit. This is also why I don't expect this company to ever report again. As long as they can keep people thinking they're selling pie in the sky pipe dream volumes they keep their little money machine running. If they were to publish real numbers this thing would tank in a second. What I posted is as real as it gets and not only entirely objective but reasonable. The margin the company says they have. The known number of cases available for sale and the industry standard for profit margin for a distribution company. What doesn't make sense?
Magical words. $10-15 million in advertising and print ads. Do you really think Marani can achieve the same results sponsoring regional events that no one attends? Launching a consumer brand, and I don't care how good it is, costs tens of millions of dollars. They simply don't have the horsepower. My estimate is they probably sold between 20-40 cases in the last quarter. Most of that as initial stocking at Costco which they are now steeply discounting because it is not selling well. No other reason to drop price. To think Marani will ever approach any mainstream brand like Kettle or Grey Goose is a total pipe dream. The Vodka is simply a vehicle for stock sales. Sales will never meet the support needed to justify and PPS above low sub penny. There's just too many shares out there now and a boatload of expenses including very high salaries and questionable marketing deals that return nothing. I sold over a a half million dollars worth of product for the PR I got on FOX Sports 1 in the last week. Why isn't Marani doing something similar? Tune in Sunday at 12PM EST and you'll see real PR and real national TV coverage! I even tried to sneak in a reference to Marani just for s#its and giggles but my interview got cut from the edited broadcast.