Former Diageo executive Zsoka McDonald has returned to the spirits industry, this time with Beam Suntory.
McDonald, who left Diageo in 2017 after almost 15 years, has been appointed to the newly-created position of chief communications officer with the Jim Beam brand owner. Based out of New York, she will report in to senior VP of corporate comm’s & public affairs Clarkson Hine.
After joining rival Diageo in late 2002, McDonald moved through the ranks to become VP of corporate comm’s for the North America region in 2013. Since her departure, she has worked for Connecticut-based energy company Avangrid.
At the same time as announcing the appointment, Beam Suntory confirmed the expansion of Brett Hale’s responsibilities: The VP for global public affairs – since 2016 – is promoted to chief public affairs officer, adding the advising of parent company Suntory on “geopolitical and market-access issues” to his remit.
Hale will continue to work out of Kentucky.
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