It’s been a while since we profiled your brand reps – aka business development managers and executives etc. to give them a couple of their official titles.
Some might say it’s been too long. So here’s the sixth of our ten, and we enjoyed catching up with them so much and there are so many of you doing a similarly grand job, we’re going to feature reps every month. Get in touch if you want to be included.
Scott Woodhead
Business Development Executive
Distell
West of Scotland
Scott is 25 and from Glasgow and his role with Distell has just changed. He said, “I started as BDE for the on and off-trade a couple of months before Covid hit. I came back from furlough last August with a focus on the on and off-trade but now I’m solely focussed on on-trade for Scotland and direct specialist retail account management.”
But his first job with Distell was in another role entirely. He said, “I started as marketing and comms assistant and that gave me a good grounding in all aspects of marketing and events, I learned a lot about the business and how it operates and gained a great understanding of each of the brands.”
When he came back in August he had a small window of opportunity to get out into the trade before restrictions were tightened once more. He explained, “In the short time I had to spend with owners and licensees, the trade was really struggling with so much uncertainty, followed quickly by the circuit breaker that happened at the start of October.
“But compared to then, there’s a sense of optimism in the air now, although this isn’t shared by every operator in Glasgow for obvious reasons.”
What’s his view on virtual vs. in person? “ I personally much prefer doing tastings in person. You get a better opportunity to read the room, engage people and interact. Although virtual has many plus points, it’s a lot more challenging talking to a screen when you can never be sure of exactly how much attention you’re getting.
Virtual is here to stay and we’re actually streaming a Bunnahabhain live event from our Bunnahabhain Distillery visitor centre to some of the Country’s best whisky bars simultaneously on June 10th for the the first time, subject to restrictions.”
What advice would he pass on to anyone looking to become a brand rep? “Get involved in anything you can working in the drinks industry. Reach out to drinks companies. There are always loads of ways in.
“My colleague started at the distillery as a tour guide and brand ambassador and this gave her the experience she needed to become a brand rep. You must also be, organised, a good communicator, adaptable and be able to build relationships quickly and easily. Oh, and love the sales buzz!”
Check out all ten brand reps in the June issue of DRAM