Last month, Heineken released details of a worldwide campaign for Desperados, the group's agave spirit-flavoured beer. Shortly afterwards, the brand's global head, Ligia Patrocinio, talked Global Drinks Intel editor Olly Wehring through the strategy.How long have you been with Heineken?It’s been 14 years this week! I'm originally from Brazil, which is where I started with the company – I was part of the team that launched Desperados in Brazil. Then I moved into global as head of innovation for Desperados. When the craft trend was big in 2014-16, I became global craft beer marketing manager
‘Desperados has the flag to shape the future of beer & beyond’ – Heineken’s global head of Desperados, Ligia Patrocinio, speaks to Global Drinks Intel
‘I probably annoy a lot of my colleagues because the energy you’re seeing here is my day-to-day!’

Olly has been reporting on the beverage industry as a B2B journalist since 2003. He spent 18 years at Just Drinks, 16 of which as managing editor. Since joining Global Drinks Intel in 2022, he's interviewed the CEOs for brand owners including AB InBev, Campari Group, Carlsberg, Heineken and Suntory Global Spirits and has a bulging contacts book from across beverage alcohol worldwide.



