The Tinley Beverage Company Inc. reports that Teddy Zittell has stepped down as chief executive officer.

The company has appointed Larry Weintraub of Los Angeles, California, as Tinley's new CEO. Zittell, who has been an integral part of Tinley's since 2016, will continue as a director on Tinley's board and serve as chairman. 

"I am thrilled to welcome Larry as our CEO at this key inflection point for our categories and our company," Zittell said. "After changes in strategy, including refocus on high-return own brand products over the past 18 months, Larry's talent and experience, and his proximity to the dynamic centers of industry action, are ideal to lead Tinley's next-stage development and growth, profitably exploiting expanding markets with a focus on mining new revenue."

Weintraub is a marketing executive and entrepreneur. In 1999, Weintraub co-founded Fanscape, the first social media marketing agency, which he ran as CEO until its sale to advertising giant, Omnicom in 2014. Following the sale, Weintraub assumed the role of chief innovation officer within Omnicom's creative agency, TMA (The Marketing Arm), where he worked brands including Samsung, Frito Lay, Uber, State Farm, US Army, and P&G. Weintraub remained with Omnicom until 2023, when he formed his own CEO consultancy, Great Gig Strategy.

"I am energized by the scope of opportunity I see for Tinley's," Weintraub said. "New opportunities for our brand and their sales growth present themselves daily, driven by the recently announced federal re-scheduling of cannabis, and ever-increasing state-by-state clarity on federally legal hemp-derived THC products. Our Tinley's and the Beckett's brands stand out in the marketplace, with a compelling origin story, and great tasting products. We are committed to extending our reach to new distributor and retailer partners, bars and restaurants, as well as through direct-to-consumer sales.”

Weintraub has been granted 3 million stock options exercisable for a period of five years at a strike price of $0.05. The options granted to Weintraub vest over a period of two years.