Dylan Shirley is Brand Manager on the Prestige and Specialty team as part of the Irish Distillers International Marketing team based in Dublin. In this role, Dylan is responsible for Redbreast and Powers, working with people all over the world to bring these brands to life.
You are based within our International Marketing team at Irish Distillers. What does this team do?
The International Marketing team is the marketing function that looks after every touch point of Jameson and our Irish Whiskey portfolio across the world, from billboards in the USA, experiences in India to a bottle of Jameson in South Africa. It’s pretty amazing to think that all of these things come from one team!
Tell us about the Prestige and Speciality team.
We look after Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Spot Whiskey, Method & Madness, Powers and Knappogue Castle.
What does your role involve?
Specifically, within our team I work on the new releases for both Redbreast and Powers. It’s a really exciting part of our business and means I get to work with lots of different areas of the business from the team in Midleton, to our packaging team in Fox & Geese and various teams in our head office too.
What makes the Prestige and Speciality team special?
I think more than anything, we all get on so well together. Everyone is willing to help with any job, no matter the size. We’re also very lucky to work on some of the most special Irish whiskey brands within the Irish whiskey industry.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve been involved in?
I think that the one that stands out in my head was the launch of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection. To be involved in one of the most significant releases in the history of Midleton Very Rare and maybe even Irish Distillers was such a privilege.
What achievement are you most proud of in your time with Irish Distillers?
The packaging project whereby we changed the Midleton Very Rare packaging towards a new and more sustainable solution. It’s great to be a part of a company that takes sustainability seriously and this was a fantastic step in our sustainability journey.
What do you enjoy most about your current job?
I love that I get to work with great people all over the world, bringing our brands to life to be enjoyed the world over.
Tell us about the best corporate or consumer event you attended?
What stands out the most was the celebration that we had in 2022 to mark the achievement of selling 10 million cases of Jameson worldwide in that year. To bring all of the Irish Distillers employees together who have been working toward a common goal to celebrate such a significant milestone for the business was something special.
Something unique about you?
The sound of silence; I always need to have some sort of music playing.
Why do you choose to stay with Irish Distillers?
From the start, I have been very fortunate to work in a variety of roles that have stretched my skillset is so many different ways. I feel that there are so many people and areas of the business that I can continue to learn from. I know I can continue to grow both personally and professionally at Irish Distillers.
What do you do outside of work?
Typically, you’ll probably find me either on a golf course or a hockey pitch in my spare time!
How would you describe the spirit of Irish Distillers?
From the time that I first started on the Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme to today, what I have always loved about Irish Distillers is the people. I truly believe that it’s the people that makes the company and Pernod Ricard such a pleasure to work for each and every day.
Learn more about working with Irish Distillers HERE
