The current MD for marketing at Jack Daniel’s, Sophia Angelis, will move up to take on the role of global director for marketing excellence. When contacted by Global Drinks Intel, a spokesperson for the company said the position is “loosely based” on its global marketing: communications & planning excellence directorate, held by Neil Punwani since 2018. The spokesperson added that Punwani will retire at the start of May.
Angelis has been with the brand owner since late 2000, starting as UK marketing manager for Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort & Finlandia.
Replacing her will be Mark Bacon, who moves across from Jack Daniel’s American whiskey stablemates, Old Forester and Wood Reserve. Bacon’s time with Brown-Forman also included time as MD of Southern Comfort prior to its divestment to US peer Sazerac Co in 2016.
Bacon makes way for Mia Simpson Culp, group MD for tequila since 2021. Simpson Culp started with Brown-Forman 12 years ago, spending three years as global brand manager for Woodford Reserve. Details on who will take over on the tequila side were not disclosed.
All three changes take effect on 1 March.
Eight months ago, Brown-Forman trimmed its spirits portfolio, offloading the Finlandia vodka brand to Coca-Cola HBC for US$220m. The company will announce its results for the three months to the end of January on 6 March.




