In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Adrian Biggs, Director of Trade Advocacy North America. Within this role, he is responsible for developing the strategy for the Brand Ambassador team's operations, activation, and fostering a culture within the advocacy program. Additionally, we have the honor of featuring Jen Marshall, who at the time of this episode was the Community Advocate at Casa Lumbre, focusing on developing program strategy and industry activation for Community...

In this interview episode, we have the opportunity to hear from Leva O’Neal and Emmanuel Pena. Leva was employed at Lyre’s Spirit Co.and Manny was Brand Ambassador for Diplomatico Rum during this period of their careers. At the time, Leve O’Neal  held the position of Brand Ambassador Team Leader -Central & EAstern Europe with Lyre’s Spirit Co, while Manny served as the Brand Ambassador for Diplomatico Rum.. Since this interview took place, both individuals have moved on to new roles: Leva...

In this interview episode, we have the opportunity to hear from Nick Crutchfield and Laura Lashley, who were both employed at Diageo Wine and Spirits during this period of their careers. At the time, Nick Crutchfield was Division Educator with Diageo Hospitality Partnership, while Lauren Lashley served as the National Education Manager for @Seedlip. Since this interview, both individuals have moved on to new roles: Nick is currently serving as the Director of Advocacy for Lyres, while Laura...

In this interview, I had the pleasure of interviewing Aleka Ross for Hotaling.co and Daniella Solano from Makers Mark.   These two ladies hold jobs similar to being Brand Ambassadors, but slightly different @Aleka Ross is the  Business Development Manager in SF @Hotalingco, and Daniella Solano a NY Diplomat for @makersmark.    In this episode, we dive into what exactly that means and such more, including: Aleka and Daniella - discuss what their roles and responsibilities are  Why it is...

This week on Episode 28 of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I have the pleasure of interviewing Zach Berger then Brand Ambassador for Edrington and Tommy Mauriello, NY Area Manager for Edrington.  Zach shares his incredible story about how he was discovered behind the bar and why he made the leap to become an Ambassador. We discuss why being “on” all the time is so important to building your career. Tommy discusses the differences between a Brand Ambassador and a Market manager...

This week on Episode 27 of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I had the pleasure of interviewing, Nathan S. Reffell, the Multicultural Brand Ambassador for Bacardi and Kyle McHugh Director of Advocacy for Samsung and Surrey. If you like what you hear please subscribe and leave a review. Show Notes Discuss their current roles and responsibilities, Nate as the Grey Goose Brand Ambassador in Texas and Kyle as Director of Brand Advocacy for Simon Surrey. Nate- Shares how he went from...

This week on Episode 26 of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I had the pleasure of interviewing, Kirsten, "Kitty" Amann @drinkinglikekitty, the MA / NH Brand Steward for @UncleNearest Premium Whiskey and author of Drinking Like Ladies and Camille Austin also known as “La Loba Alpha”, the Director of Advocacy for Mexican craft spirits company @CasaLumbre. ⁠ Show notes Camille and Kitty introduce themselves, their roles, and what their responsibilities are Camille and Kitty share their...

Episode 25 of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I had the pleasure of interviewing, Jordan Zimmerman @Jzimmerman_tx  Premium Whiskey Education & Advocacy Leader at @Brown-Forman and then Brand Ambassador for The Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whisky Cam Millar. Don't forget to hit subscribe to stay up to date on the latest episodes and please leave us a review. In this episode we discussed: What their roles are and all the responsibilities that fall under their roles. Cam discusses...

In Episode 24 I have the pleasure of speaking with Anthony Pullen then Vice President of Trade Marketing at Q Mixers and Stelio PapadoPoulos based in Greece, the co-owner of the Tequila bar Barro Negro and  the Global Brand Ambassador for Jose Cuervo. Stelios and Anthony share the stories of their interesting careers before going into hospitality. Stelios was a seaman working on Cargo ships, and how and when he switched to working with Cuervo. Anthony speaks to how he was supposed to be...

On this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing  "Robert Mariana" Italian-born mixologist, currently living in London working as the Global Project Manager at Martini for the iconic MARTINI brand, its vermouths & bitters. Along with "Cameron George,"  a Whisky evangelist born and raised in Seattle, Washington, spreading the word about whisky around the  USA  as the National Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg, the 4x reigning World Whisky Distillery of the Year. Cameron and Roberta start by...

In this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing two amazing women taking  the Whiskey industry by storm.  @ginafossit the Trade and Education Brand Manager - Canadian Whisky, along with @dramswithkayla Chicago Brand Ambassador for @Brown-Forman Single Malt Scotches and Irish Whiskey. ⁠ In this episode, they discuss the following: Things they learned during the first few months on the job, such as: Learning to manage your managers”. By understanding your priorities. How to say “no”...

In this episode of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador,"  I had the pleasure of interviewing two incredible women,  Natasha Sofia Velez then "National Brand Ambassador Director" for Davos Brands, and Earlecia Gibb "National Brand Ambassador for St~Germain." Be prepared to grab a drink, sit down and get comfortable because, within this episode, we cover many important topics, including the importance of understanding brand strategy, Education courses we recommend, Social media best practices,...

Meet H. Joseph  Ehrmann H.Barman/Consultant/Educator - 12th Proprietor of the Elixir Bar  & Chief Mixology Officer and Partner of Fresh Victor and April Watchel 24 year veteran in the beverage and hospitality industry. An experienced mixologist, a cocktail and spirits instructor, Founder and CEO of Cheeky, and the Host of the Movers and Shakers podcast. In this episode they discuss: Their career paths within hospitality and their inspiration to creating and launching their own...

Today, on Episode Nineteen of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I will have the pleasure of interviewing, @thescotchmadame Whiskey Brand Ambassador for @PernodRicardusa American division and @Tjdcorrigan National Premium Whisk(e)y Ambassador @brownforman Canada.⁠ In this episode, we discuss what it was like to work part-time as a Brand Ambassador. The benefits and the challenges of the role. Working part-time helped them decide if the BA role was the right fit for them. Jenna discusses...

This week, in Episode Eighteen of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I will have the pleasure of interviewing two impressive 20-year industry veterans and longtime friends Jorge Raptis- Diageo's Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits Division Educator and Giuseppe Gallo, the creator of the award-winning spirit Italicus- Rosolio di Bergamotto. In this episode, we discuss Their backgrounds within the industry lead to their current roles. The steps they took in their careers to become...

This week, on Episode Seventeen of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador,"  Elayne spoke with,  Sullivan Doh founder of Le Syndicat in Paris and  D'Usse' Cognac first-ever Global Brand Ambassador and Ansis Ancovs  Global Brand Ambassador for Rooster Rojo and former Brand Ambassador for William Grant in the Baltics. On this Episode Sullivan and Ansis ​​- Speak about their careers before becoming a Brand Ambassador and why they made the leap! - Best practices they learned during Covid to keep...

In this Episode Elayne interviews Andie Ferman, Portfolio Specialist with Hotaling & Co and Brittany Littrell, On-Premise Manager NY at Maison Ferrand.⁠ In this interview we discuss: The Role of a on-premise manager Role of managing BDM - Business Development Managers How brand incentives work Ways to build a relationship with sales reps Tactics for closing the deal How they build relationships with accounts How they build trust with reps and buyers Some of the actions...

In this episode Elayne interviews Georgie Bell, former Brand Manager/Society Ambassador at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society UK, now Head of Advocacy Programming - Incubation Brands at Bacardi and Zahra Bates, Education and Training Manager at Courvoisier USA. ⁠ On this episode these two woman speak to: Their career paths and why they made the choices that they made. Their interesting backgrounds that led them into this industry How they rose to positions that they are currently in. How...

On this episode of "Celebrating The Brand Ambassador."  I have the pleasure of interviewing Jesse Estes, the Global Brand Ambassador for Tequila Ocho, and Todd Richman, winner of the prestigious Best Brand Ambassador award at Tales of the cocktail 2013 and now the National Sales Director for Overproof. On this episode we discussed: Todd and Jesse discuss activations and the importance of category education to help overcome the trade and the consumers negative perception and embrace your...

This week, in Episode Thirteen of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I had the pleasure of interviewing two industry legends, Adam Harris, Senior Ambassador of the Jim Beam Distilling Co., and Tim Master, Mister Chartreuse himself. In this episode They discuss why they leaped going behind the bar to become a brand ambassador. Advantages and disadvantages of working for an agency Giving up dreams and changing careers The challenges of navigating a new corporate structure Wise words of...

This week, in Episode Twelve of "Celebrating the Brand Ambassador," I had the pleasure of interviewing two industry icons, "Tomas Estes and Julio Bermejo, "The Legendary Ambassadors of Tequila". They share their incredible personal journeys of how Tequila became their passion, the doors it opened, and the adventure it led to. Tomas sadly passed a few months after making this recording, and I and so many others will gravely miss him. The world was a better place with him, and I am honored to...

This week on Episode 11 of "Celebrating The Brand Ambassador."  I have the pleasure of interviewing Michael Toscano, NYC Brand Ambassador for Woodford Reserve" and Ian Burrell, the self-appointed and world-famous Global Ambassador of Rum. This episode discusses what it is like to be a sober Brand Ambassador, how Ian gained his title and "built his own table," plus Michael experience working at Enterprise Rental Car and making Sales at Angie’s list And working in this corporate environment...

In this bonus Episode, with Lacy Hawkins, the National Brand Ambassador for Monkey 47, Nicola Olianas, Global Brand Ambassador for the Branca Distillery, makers of Fernet-Branca, Carpano Antica Formula, and more. Lacy and Nicola discuss their various sales techniques, including how to turn a No into a yes, how to get the distributor to become your Brand Ambassador, the realities of Brand Ambassador burn out, and so much more Other points discussed on the show were: Best practices that...

In this bonus Episode 10 with Lacy Hawkins, the National Brand Ambassador for Monkey 47, Nicola Olianas, Global Brand Ambassador for the Branca Distillery, makers of Fernet-Branca, Carpano Antica Formula, and more. Lacy and Nicola discuss their various sales techniques, including how to turn a No into a yes, how to get the distributor to become your Brand Ambassador, the realities of Brand Ambassador burn out, and so much more Other points discussed on the show were: Best practices that...