Jessica Spence Named Beam Suntory’s First President of Brands
Jessica Spence Named Beam Suntory’s First President of Brands
Chicago, Illinois, June 25, 2019 – Beam Suntory has named Jessica Spence to be the company’s first President of Brands. Spence will join Beam Suntory from Carlsberg Group, where she currently serves as Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer.
In this new role, Spence will have P&L responsibility for Beam Suntory’s largest global brands, and will work closely with the region presidents to lead the company’s global premiumization agenda. In addition to end-to-end global brand strategy, development and performance, Spence will lead global innovation and product R&D; emerging marketing technologies, tools and platforms; and integrated marketing communications and design.
“As we accelerate our path of premiumization and pursue our long-term ambitions, we will focus on building global premium brands of scale that consumers love,” said Albert Baladi, President & CEO of Beam Suntory. “Jessica is a true global enterprise leader with an impressive track record and the passion to match. With a powerful combination of brand-building leadership and commercial prowess, she is the perfect fit for this new role, for our strategic ambitions, and for our culture.”
Spence joined Carlsberg in 2012, and she currently leads Carlsberg’s global marketing, sales, insights, R&D and innovation functions. She previously served as Carlsberg’s Senior Vice President Commercial based in Copenhagen, and in senior commercial and marketing roles for Carlsberg Asia based in Hong Kong. Prior to joining Carlsberg in 2012, Spence held marketing roles of increasing responsibility for SABMiller in Russia, Slovakia and Poland, as well as in business development based in London. She also has prior experience with global advertising agencies Leo Burnett and J Walter Thompson. She is a graduate of Cambridge University, the London School of Economics & Political Science (post-graduate diploma), and INSEAD (MBA).
Spence will join Beam Suntory in October and will report to Baladi.
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/.
© 2019 Beam Suntory, Inc., Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60654