Premium spirits brand are on track to maintain the momentum of the last few years. However slowing growth and government measures to curb drinking pose significant challenges. It is more important than ever for drinks producers to invest in branding both to strike a tone that appeases regulators and defy category trends when times get tough
Gain first-hand insights from world leading brand practitioners and cutting-edge thinkers who will share their best practices, knowledge and expertise about managing and maximising brand value.
Ask questions and hear from the panellists as they share and discuss the trends and influences affecting drinks brands today.
Expand your network with international colleagues and gain first-hand insights from the world’s leading brands.
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Registration/Drinks Reception |
| 7:00pm - 7:10pm | David Haigh, CEO, Brand Finance |
| 7:10pm - 7:25pm | Ed Pilkington, Global Category, Vodka, Rum and Gin, Diageo |
| 7:25pm - 7:40pm | Frazer Thompson, CEO, Chapel Down and Curious Drinks |
| 7:40pm - 7:50pm |
Q/A |
| 7:50pm - 9:00pm | Orbis Aged World Whiskey led by Kevin Casey, Director, St James Distillery |
Ed Pilkington has been Marketing & Innovation Director for Diageo Western Europe since July 2013, and is a member of the Global Marketing Leadership Team and the Western Europe Executive Team.
During his time leading the team, Western Europe has earned market share becoming one of the best performing manufacturers in Western Europe whilst increasing media spend significantly. On the innovation front, Diageo is leading spirits innovation in Western Europe with Baileys Chocolat Luxe the biggest launch to date for the company in the region.
Ed first joined Diageo in 1990 and during his tenure has been Marketing and Innovation Director for Diageo Australia, and for the Latin America and Caribbean region. Prior to taking on the Western European role, Ed was Global Category Director, Vodka, Rum and Gin, based in Amsterdam.
Ed received a BA in Hispanic Studies from Birmingham University
David is the CEO and founder of Brand Finance plc. David qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse in London. He worked in international financial management then moved into the marketing services sector, firstly as the Financial Director of The Creative Business and then as Financial Director of WCRS & Partners. He left to set up a financial marketing consultancy, which was later acquired by Publicis, the pan European marketing services group, where he worked as a director for five years.
David moved to Interbrand as Director of Brand Valuation in its London-based global brand valuation practice, leaving in 1996 to launch Brand Finance. David has represented the British Standards institute on the International Standards Committee working party on the standardisation of brand valuation methods and practices, whose draft standard (ISO 10668) was published in November 2010.
David has written many articles for the marketing and financial press on branded businesses and brand valuation and is the author of numerous publications. He also lectures on the subject of branded business, brand and intangible asset valuation at many of the leading business schools around the world.
Frazer Thompson has been CEO of leading English winemakers and brewers Chapel Down Group since 2001. Prior to this he was the Global Brand Director at Heineken. Previously, he was also Chairman of the IoD for the Kent region, a Non-Executive Director at Brand Finance and a Director at Whitbread.