A Date with Dublin
PIPPA RYAN
Pippa is a Dublin City University graduate with a degree in Communications. She always knew that the Jameson International Graduate Programme was the career path she wanted to go down and here is why.
When/ how did you decide you wanted to be part of the Jameson International Graduate Programme?
I knew several people who had been successful in securing a place on the Jameson International Graduate Programme in previous years from markets such as Norway, China and Dublin. This was a great benefit as I was able to follow their day to day lives through ‘Instagram Take Overs’ on the @jamesongradprog page, and truly get a feel for what the role would be like. I always thought it was amazing to see people completing placements across the globe through this once in a lifetime opportunity of being a Jameson Brand Ambassador. The career progression within Irish Distillers and Pernod Ricard is amazing and it has always been very clear that the graduate team are there to help you succeed. I always got a true sense of community looking from the outside in, and from that, I knew this was my dream job!
What market were/ are you working in?
I have been the Jameson Brand Ambassador in Dublin for the past 2 years. My roles is 100% field based and I work in conjunction with both my sales and marketing teams. Dublin is a very important market for the brand as it is the heart and home of Jameson, so, as a Brand Ambassador it is incredibly important to keep a strong presence in the community. With our Brand Home in Bow Street it is a fantastic opportunity to continue to build advocacy for the brand with the bartender community by inviting them to various tasting and experiences.
What characteristics do you have that help you effectively do your job as Brand Ambassador?
In this role, you’re the ‘eyes and ears’ for Jameson in the trade. This requires getting to know and understand our bartenders and consumers to see what activations we can organise to give-back to our loyal community. This requires excellent communication and relationship building skills. An essential part of the day-to-day role is to be a kick-starter and to have an innovative approach. I feel like focusing on these skills has enhanced my influencing abilities which makes my job a whole lot easier!
What is the most rewarding thing about being part of the Jameson International Graduate Programme?
No two days are the same. I spend a lot of time in the trade, building long lasting relationships with bartenders and other key stakeholders. It is very rewarding to be working on projects that help our bartenders, from start to finish and seeing the positive impact that each campaign has on the on-trade. During the pandemic, it felt amazing to see various campaigns fuel brand connections by bringing people together online.
What is the most challenging thing about being a Jameson Brand Ambassador?
The pandemic has been a significant challenge to our industry. I knew I would have to adapt and develop my own ways of working to support the trade and bartenders during the pandemic. Initially, this was a challenge but the support I received from the graduate team and from my direct sales and marketing teams was outstanding. Through innovation, we have hosted certain events virtually, dropped care packs to bartenders and adapted to doing all our tastings and trainings online.
How has the programme helped you to develop your own personal brand?
Your personal brand is more important than ever in today’s digital word. The Jameson Graduate Programme has given me the tools to help develop my personal brand by firstly, making us aware of the importance our own brand. Secondly, giving us the tools such a various brand assets and LinkedIn Learning course, to ensure we are the most well-rounded versions of ourselves upon completing the programme.
What skills do you feel you have developed through the Jameson International Graduate Programme?
On the graduate programme, you are constantly developing new skills. Each week, you could be working on a new marketing campaign, designing a cocktails menu for a bar, creating content for our Jameson social channels, presenting ideas at marketing and sales meetings, delivering a Jameson Family Tasting to consumers… the list is endless!! I truly believe that the Jameson International Graduate Programme has been the perfect programme to kick-start my career as the vast amount of skills you gain are invaluable to your career progression.
Outside of the day job what do you do for fun?
Sea swimming exploded in Ireland last year, and I jumped right onto that bandwagon! What started as a trend, has now become part of my weekly life! As a Brand Ambassador, it is so important to get in your physical exercise, so I feel very lucky to live close to the sea to get my weekly dips in.
What is your favourite memory from your time on the programme so far?
It has been amazing getting to know so many like-minded people. Especially, during our induction on the programme, before we all headed out to market. It is great to know that you could travel across the globe and always have a friend near-by. It is amazing to be able to share the many activations that we individually host in our markets and gain inspiration from others. The main highlights that I enjoy sharing with the other BA’s would be my weekly Bartender Monday Night Session. We host these in a Jameson space that we use to give back to bartenders and consumers through education sessions. I am really looking forward to the trade re-opening so I can host these nights once again!
Any tips for anyone applying for the role of Brand Ambassador?
As cliché as it sounds – be yourself!! The assessment centres are all about getting to the know candidates on a personal level. This is to firstly discover if they will be suited to the programme, and secondly, what market they will best be suited to. Therefore, it is important to express your interests and personal experiences to really show what makes you, you.