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 have called him my friend.

In this episode, Julio and Tomas discussed:

this Nature has never happened again. 2002

And much more.

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 prepared him for this current role.

How he started working in our industry as a Bar Back and slowly moved his way up to the bartender to GM

His lesson on learning how to navigate all the layers of corporate america

Being a sober Brand Ambassador is the best decision he ever made, and how it has led to new opportunities in his life and at his company.

Ian Burrel - Tells his story of how he became the self-appointment Global Brand Ambassador for Rum

How and why he built his own table in the industry.

Why he launched his Rum Festival in 2007

How building your own table can help you launch your personal brand

This industry has limitless opportunities- if you make them

How he first started working with Appleton Rum

Why a Brand Ambassador is different than a sales rep.

How he learned about Rum and became well known in the category.

Why it is essential to keep learning and how to do that.

The inspiration behind his Equiano Rum

How he learned how to be a great presenter

Imposter syndrome: We all feel it, and how can you handle it.

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:

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:

In Episode 9, I have the pleasure of interviewing the legendary Simon Ford & Tim Cooper. Simon, one of this industry's original rockstar Brand Ambassadors and now the proud owner of Ford's Gin, along with Tim Cooper, an NYC bartender, turned Brand Ambassador and now the Director of Advocacy.

In this show we discuss:

This week on Episode 7 of Celebrate the Brand Ambassador, I had the pleasure of interviewing Global Whiskey Ambassadors Nicola Riske of Macallan Whisky  & Dave Mitton of Lot 40. These highly experienced Whiskey ambassadors, both of Canadian origin, share similar but very different careers and experiences.

( please note Dave had a bad connection, so I apologies for the audio cutting out here and there when he is speaking)

In this episode Dave and Nicola share with us:

There career path before becoming a Brand Ambassador

Current Trends in Canadian and Single Malts Whisky

Challenges of switching from behind the bar to becoming a Brand Ambassador

Ways to expand your knowledge and why it important to your career.

Asking for what you want so you get the job that suits you.

How to keep a balanced life while traveling on the road.

Dave reveals details of on-line Canadian Whisky education program that was in development

And launched in 2021. It is called the Eh, B, C’s of Canadian Whisky Certification Course!

On Episode 6 of Celebrating the Brand Ambassador, I have the pleasure of interviewing Anne Lousie Marquis, the National Portfolio Brand Ambassador at Campari, and Xavier Herit, the National Brand Ambassador for Grand Marnier.

Why he became a Brand Ambassador

Anne Louise speaks about how she created her dream role and steps she took to move up the ladder.

Xavier speaks to some of the adjustments he needed to make when he transitioned from bar director to a Brand Ambassador

Some tricks of the trade he uses to stay organized while on the road.

Key words of advice Anne-Louise gave Xavier when he first got on the job-

They speak to activations they have created that they are most proud of and why.

Last words of advice for new brand ambassadors, looking for wisdom.

In Episode 5, I interview Lynn House, an industry legend and the National Brand Educator at Heaven Hill & Ewan Morgan, Reserve Program Director at Diageo & Whisky Ambassador.

They have risen through the ranks, from being Brand Ambassadors to Heads of their departments. This episode details their career paths and steps to grow in their roles, how they balanced a family while on the road, best practices for managing & educating others, and how they help shape company policy and ideas for their brand.

In Episode 4, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alex Jump, Beverage Director of Death & Co Denver & Lauren Paylor, a mixologist and a nationally ranked bartender. Alex and Lauren are Cofounders of the podcast Focus On Health podcast. On this episode

we discussed:

This week on episode 3, I interviewed my first Brand Ambassador couple and soon-to-be parents, Gemma Cole and Dominic Venegas. Gemma is the National Brand Ambassador at Aberlour Single Malt and Dominic, Whiskey Convivialist at Pernod Ricard USA. They shared the advantages of online tastings, focusing on the consumer, the benefits of working side by side with your Brand Manager, how to get the most out of your GSMs, hard lessons learned, the benefits of taking the leap from one company to another and much more.