Record Number of Graduates For Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, Ireland’s leading spirits and wines company, has recruited the largest number of entrants to the Jameson Graduate Programme since the programme began in 1991. A total of 36 graduates; 34 Marketing and two Production Graduates, will be allocated to various global markets across five continents making it the largest programme on offer to Irish graduates within the Irish spirits sector.
This year’s programme has been expanded to represent the brand across nine new markets; Quebec in Canada, China, Korea, Denmark, Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Angola, Thailand and New Zealand in order to reflect the growth of the brand internationally.
The thirty six brand ambassadors were chosen after a rigorous interview process which began by entrants completing a two minute video application about themselves via the programme website. According to Sinead D’Arcy, Graduate Programme Manager, this unique aspect of the application process not only proves that applicants are digitally savvy, but also that they have the personality and confidence needed to represent the brand. “Working as a brand ambassador for Jameson requires motivation, passion and confidence. By requiring the graduates to submit videos as part of the application process, we gain a real insight into their personalities and what motivates them; aspects that are often lost in conventional application processes.”
The programme offers Irish graduates the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the operations of one ofIreland’s largest export groups, with real long-term career opportunities within Irish Distillers and the wider Group Pernod Ricard portfolio.
Anna Malmhake, CEO and Chairman of Irish Distillers, says: “Jameson has seen 24 years of consecutive growth, and last year, reached the 4 million cases milestone as Irish Distillers exported Jameson all over the world. Each second, 30 glasses of Jameson are enjoyed somewhere in the world. The Jameson Graduate Programme offers Irish graduates the opportunity to be a part of our international success story, working alongside our colleagues in diverse markets across the globe.
“We pride ourselves not just on the experiences our graduates gain during the graduate programme, but on the long-term job prospects the programme offers as many of our graduates stay on the programme into Years 2 and Year 3. This year, we have 77 graduates working in 42 international markets and are pleased to have awarded 80% of those who have completed their final year, permanent positions within the Pernod Ricard Group. Our goal is to recruit the future leaders of the Pernod Group, and so far, we have been successful in doing so. Over 50% of the Dublin-based commercial team in Irish Distillers launched their careers through the Graduate Programme, and many of our international leaders have come through the programme including Simon Fay, International Brand Development Director, and Ciara Kelly Head of Business Development.”
The Brand Ambassadors will work closely with the local brand and sales team in order to drive marketing activities in the following markets; USA, Canada, South America, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Ireland, France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Australia, India, South Africa, Japan, Vietnam and Kenya.
Those wishing to apply for next year’s programme should visit www.thevitalingredient.ie where applications will be open for submission from 23rd September.
CAPTION:
Pictured at the launch of the 2013/14 Irish Distillers Jameson Graduate Programme are Brand Ambassadors Jamie Thompson (Netherlands), Catriona Murphy (France) and David Lynch (Spain.)
