Respected Tobacco Industry Veteran Joins Blue Whale as Director of Sales.

Dan Custred, Former Director of Business Development for U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, Will Drive Blue Whale's National Growth Initiatives

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. -- Today Blue Whale Worldwide, the maker of premium smokeless alternatives, announced that Dan Custred has been appointed Director of Sales, and will focus on the company's flagship product, Blue Whale Smokeless. Custred is the former Director of Business Development for Connecticut-based U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, the world's leading manufacturer of moist smokeless tobacco products, such as Copenhagen and Skoal. In his new role at Blue Whale, he will spearhead product branding efforts, build wholesale distribution and outreach, and oversee retail strategy for the end consumer. He reports directly to Jim Airaghi, Vice President of Sales.

"Dan's strong industry reputation and professional relationships will open many doors for our new product," says Bill Whalen, founder of Blue Whale. "He has demonstrated his wealth of experience in Texas--the No. 1 smokeless tobacco state in the country--and I am confident he will expand Blue Whale's presence on the national stage, too. I look forward to growing the business with Dan, and realizing Blue Whale's full market potential."

Custred brings over 20 years of experience from his time at U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. There, he held several positions, most recently Director of Business Development, where he was responsible for developing new accounts, and delivering the company's sales plans and trade tactics to the retail industry.

"I believe that my history and past experience in the smokeless tobacco industry will contribute to an already highly successful company," says Custred. "I am extremely excited to be working with such dynamic people."

Custred has also served in several leading associations and committees, most notably the National Association of Convenience Stores Political Action Committee (NACSPAC), and the American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) Board of Directors. For NACSPAC, he organized and conducted business sessions at regional events that covered such diverse topics as product introduction, regulatory affairs, government relations, new promotions, and strategic planning. As a member of the AWMA board, Custred sat on the Business Exchange, Expo, and Systems to Enhance Professional Selling (STEPS) committees.

Custred holds a bachelor's of science in communications from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pa. He lives in Keller, Texas.

ABOUT BLUE WHALE

Blue Whale Worldwide produces Blue Whale Smokeless, a smokeless tobacco alternative. Blue Whale is a smarter choice for adult tobacco users, thanks to its proprietary ingredient NicoDip[TM]. This all natural botanical tobacco extract delivers the same taste, smell, and pack of premium tobacco, while significantly reducing tobacco consumption. Blue Whale also distributes Nicogel, a water-soluble gel containing all natural tobacco extract. Nicogel is a cigarette replacement for smokers in an increasingly smoke-free world. The company is based in King of Prussia, Pa.

Links

Blue Whale: http://www.bluewhalesmokeless.com/

Product information: http://snipurl.com/smokeless

Press room: http://snipurl.com/pressroom

Dan Custred headshot (hi-res): http://snipurl.com/DanCustred

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company: http://www.ussmokeless.com/

NACSPAC: http://snipurl.com/NACSPAC

AWMA: http://www.awmanet.org/

Indiana University of Pennsylvania: http://www.iup.edu/

Google Maps: http://snipurl.com/KingPrussia

E-mail: [e-mail]

NOTE TO PRESS

Comprehensive resources are available for this story, including executive interviews, industry sources, analyst contacts, supporting documentation, and more. Please contact Mike Lizun at Gregory FCA, at 610-642-8253 or [e-mail] if you have any questions or need more information.