Is there a better place to record a podcast with ambassadors of some of the most recognised drinks brands in the world than in the back room of a pub?
I had great fun chatting with Mark Thomson, Jody Buchan and Sarah Berardi who all represented drinks brands from William Grant & Sons at the time of recording.
The first (and hopefully not the last) episode of the podcast that was recorded in the nice cosy back room of The Athletic Arms Diggers pub in Edinburgh.
I was joined by Ambassadors to Scotland for Monkey Shoulder malt whisky blend – Jody Buchan, Hendricks Gin – Sarah Berardi and Glenfiddich whisky – Mark Thomson.
This episode is a fascinating insight into what a drinks brand ambassador does and how they communicate their brand to the many different audiences. This could include whisky or gin tasting sessions with people who are familiar or unfamiliar with their drink brands, trade vendors learning about their products and people who they interact with on a daily basis.
There are many different hats that a brand ambassador has to wear and this could involve being challenged by sceptical audience members, convincing people about their brand and sometimes changing people’s perceptions.
Mark Thomson is the only scotch whisky brand ambassador to have won the coveted Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year title 3 times. His wealth of knowledge and incredible story telling skills really show why he has been as successful as he is.
This is not a conversation about gin and whisky, this is a conversation about how people in this industry communicate.
To keep up to speed with everything Sarah, Mark and Jody are up to then check them out on their Instagrams –
Mark Thomson – @SingleMaltMark
Sarah Berardi – @sarahkberardi
Jody Buchan – @_the_moto_monkey
All of these ambassadors work for brands owned by the famous whisky family – William Grant & Sons at the time of recording.
