Beam Suntory Names First Chief Innovation, R&D and RTD Officer
Beam Suntory Names First Chief Innovation, R&D and RTD Officer
Chicago, Illinois, September 9, 2019 – Beam Suntory, a global leader in premium spirits, has appointed Olga Osminkina-Jones to be its Chief Innovation, R&D and RTD Officer. In this new position, Osminkina-Jones will lead global innovation, global research and development, and the ready-to-drink (RTD) business in the North America and International regions for products developed outside of Japan. She will join Beam Suntory from PepsiCo, where she has served as Vice President & General Manager, Global Hydration Portfolio and Innovation and has most recently been focused on Premium Global Food & Beverages.
As we pursue our growth ambitions, innovation will play an increasingly important role, and we also see that ready-to-drink products present a massive growth opportunity for us, at the cross-roads of important consumer trends such as refreshment, better-for-you and convenience,” said Albert Baladi, president & CEO of Beam Suntory. “That’s why we’ve created the position of Chief Innovation, R&D and RTD Officer, and why Olga is ideally suited for this new role. Olga is a dynamic leader and a passionate brand builder, innovator and marketer with a keen focus on luxury and premium products and a track record of disrupting categories. Olga’s depth of expertise, coupled with Suntory’s legendary capability in innovation, product development and the RTD category, are a powerful combination that can help accelerate our global premium spirits ambitions for years to come.
Osminkina-Jones brings 18 years of experience at Pepsi, Danone, Heineken, Estée Lauder and Procter & Gamble, and has worked in a variety of roles across developed and emerging markets, based out of Moscow, Geneva, Paris and New York. During her career, she has led the development and launch of premium and luxury brands, re-launched, re-energized and turned around mature brands, and created innovative digital partnerships and business models. Osminkina-Jones is a graduate of SDA Bocconi Executive MBA with specialization in Luxury and Fashion Goods and has pursued continued post-graduate education at Stanford Business School, IDEO, MIT and Harvard in the subjects of Transformative Innovation and Global Business Leadership.
Osminkina-Jones will join Beam Suntory on September 30th, and she will report to Jessica Spence, President of Brands. She will also work closely with the company’s region presidents, including Japan/China region president Sho Senba, who will retain global responsibility for the Suntory RTD brands and products. She will also be a key partner to the company’s supply chain leadership in driving quality through the value chain.
About Beam Suntory Inc.
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com and https://www.drinksmart.com.