New Executive Leadership » bacardi

Bacardi appoints new global marketing director

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:02:08 +0000

Trent Russell has been hired as global marketing director for the Global Retail Division of the spirits company Bacardi.

Russell had been working as Bacardi China marketing director for three years, where he helped developed the business and the Dewar’s brand in the country. He also led strategic brand development for the company’s spirit brands.

Previously, Russell held several marketing roles in Bacardi’s joint venture in Australia, Bacardi Lion. Prior to that role, Russell worked with tobacco companies British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco.

According to Bacardi, a new marketing director in China will be announced “in due course.”

“We’re thrilled with Trent’s appointment to Global Travel Retail,” said Bacardi Global Travel Retail Division managing director Andrew Carter. “He brings a combination of strategic consumer marketing skills, international brand experience, strong customer orientation, and the transformational leadership skills that are required to deliver our vision of making Bacardi Global Travel Retail the fastest-growing premium spirits company in the industry.”

Bacardi Executive Honored by Big Brothers Big Sisters

guest — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:14:53 +0000

Eugenia “Gina” Capaz, senior vice president Business Analytics and Consumer Insight at Bacardi USA was awarded the “Board Member of the Year” by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami (BBBS). The Bacardi executive was honored for her extensive work for the local organization when she served on the board of directors.

“The leadership team at our organization is incredibly grateful to Gina for her time and efforts spent in developing special programs and events to benefit our kids,” said Lydia Muñiz, chief executive officer of BBBS. “Her generous spirit and natural leadership skills made her instrumental to our success over the past challenging year and we are lucky to have her share her time and talent with us.”

Gina Capaz currently chairs the BBBS strategic planning committee; one of her primary duties is helping plan the direction of BBBS for the next five years. Ms. Capaz is not only a Visionary Donor, but she also has bridged a strong relationship between Bacardi U.S.A., and BBBS. Bacardi recently hosted the BBBS Black Men’s Advisory Council meeting and 12 additional Bacardi USA employees also serve as mentors.

“Now more than ever, it is important to keep in mind the mission of organizations such as BBBS, and give a piece of ourselves to support the community and its next generation,” added Muñiz.

BBBS supports a wide range of child support services, including Big/Little matches, child safety initiatives, and the School to Work program. In Miami, BBBS serves more than 7,000 children and adults To learn more about donating or volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, visit www.wementor.org. To learn more about community service on the behalf of Bacardi, visit their Policy on Philanthropy and Community Involvement page at www.bacardilimited.com/resp_community.html.

Source: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami Names Gina Capaz of Bacardi U.S.A. as Board Member of the Year (Earth Times)

Bacardi Waits Out Embargo

guest — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:03:20 +0000

The US trade embargo with Cuba has Michael Brennan, Bacardi Cuba International’s President and CEO, on edge. Until the embargo is lifted, plans for the company to return to its birthplace have to be put on hold.

The embargo, which was imposed by the US on Cuba in 1960, covers all commercial, economic, and financial transactions. Bacardi, which was originally founded in Cuba in 1862, has long been monitoring the developments of trade relations between the United States and its home country to gauge the potential impact of a Bacardi Cuba to the rum industry.

“The company was originally founded in Cuba, so it has got a keen interest of what is happening there. But I think it is too early to say what will happen,” Brennan told The Royal Gazette at the spirits company’s official presentation of Investors in People award from Minister of Home Affairs David Burch at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

Brennan, who has also served as Bacardi’s global treasurer since 2006, says that the company is always looking for good quality brands that fit in well with its portfolio, but the interest in putting up a Bacardi Cuba does not mean it is any less committed to Bermuda, the company’s base for more than 40 years.

“We are a family-owned company and we like to have that philosophy in our offices across the world with our brands and people,” Brennan told The Royal Gazette.

Though the company lost out on the takeover of Absolut makers Vin & Sprit to the French spirits company Pernod, it declares that it does not pay over the odds. Its investments in tequila kingpin Patrón and Brazilian luxury spirit Leblon are on the list that is ticked off to prove their point. They hope to add Bacardi Cuba to that list as soon as the embargo lifts.