People

The owner of Stolichnaya vodka has appointed JOHN ESPOSITO as President of its US operations.  This follows SPI’s decision to establish its own importing company in the United States and manage its portfolio of brands directly, starting January 1, 2O14.  In his new role, Esposito will be setting up an... Read More

FREDERIC PFLANZ, the group’s Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer.  He’ll retain his duties as CFO, a title he’s held since 2O1O.  Pflanz joined l’Oréal Group in 1992 where he held a number of finance and management positions in the Consumer Products division.  He was appointed Director... Read More

DAVID GANDY, a model in the fashion industry, has been appointed as Johnny Walker Blue Label’s new brand ambassador to coincide with the brand’s new Game Changer promotion in the World of Whisky campaign where he will front the campaigns for the brand.              ... Read More

KRISTEN SYKES has been hired as the organization’s first Executive Director.  The Guild promotes craft brewing and protects the interests of craft brewers in Massachusetts.  Sykes is a certified beer judge through the Beer Judge Certification Program and is also the founder and President of the Boston Area Beer Enthusiasts... Read More

JOHN McDONNELL has been promoted to the new position of President, International.  McDonnell will continue in his current position as Chief Operating Officer, responsible for overseeing all day-to-day management of the company’s US and worldwide operations and global growth.  McDonnell is also the Chairman the Distilled Spirits Council of the... Read More

Salome Miller has been appointed Brand Manager.  She will manage the representation of all Montes brands throughout the US, including coordination of educational, marketing and public relations efforts.  Montes USA is the North American arm of Viña Montes.

The drinks company has announced three changes to the executive committee.  Andrew Morgan has been appointed president, New Businesses: John Kennedy has been appointed president, Diageo Western Europe; and Nick Blazquez has been appointed president, Diageo Africa, Russia & Turkey.

MATTHEW KAHN has been appointed Vice President of Marketing for Portfolio Brands.  In his new role, Kahn will be responsible for leading the development and execution of brand strategy, media and public relations for Dos Equis, Newcastle Brown Ale, Amstel and the recently acquired Strongbow Cider brand.  Additionally, he will... Read More

BERNIE LUBBERS has been hired as American Whiskey Brand Ambassador.  In his new role he will support the sales and marketing efforts of the company’s American Whiskey Collection among both consumers and trade.  In addition, he will educate these parties on history, production, laws and standards of the whiskies.  Lubbers... Read More

Patrick Ricard, 67, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pernod Ricard, died suddenly on August 17 after suffering a heart attack on the family-owned island of Bendor in southern France.  Ricard was the son of Paul Ricard, who first commercialized pastis, an anise-flavored liqueur, in 1932.  He was managing... Read More