Meet Garance, our Jameson Brand Ambassador based in Spain. Garance is in her second year on the Jameson Brand Ambassador Programme, having spent her first year in Dublin on our Portfolio Activation team.
Why did you join the Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme?
I completed my internship with Pernod Ricard in Paris so I was familiar with the business. I was looking for a job where I could meet people, use my creativity and also develop a brand. I wanted to feel challenged in my next job so being a Brand Ambassador was the perfect job as it offered me all these things.
Tell us about your recruitment process to join the Jameson Brand Ambassador Programme?
I found the recruitment process really interesting and actually good fun. I had the opportunity to show who I really was, through the application video and through different presentations and group activities.
Tell us about your journey so far.
The journey began with a three-week induction across all our sites in Cork and Dublin. After this amazing experience, I spent time in the Dublin office, helping out with different projects within the International Marketing team at the Irish Distillers. Once I had secured my visa, I went to Granada in Spain, and I have been here for more than six months now. I am the first Jameson International Brand Ambassador in Granada. I spent the first few months meeting customers, identifying potential collaborations and organising events where I could showcase the brand.
What has been your highlight of the job so far?
Definitely the Jameson Connects events we host here in Spain. They are like small festivals where we have music, food and different activities. I was really involved in the organisation of one of the bigger events where I worked with the whole Jameson team and an external agency. It was busy but a fantastic experience. Some of the marketing team from Ireland and Madrid came along and supported the event.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No one day is the same. Early in the week I focus on responding to emails and collaborating with colleagues and attending meetings. Mid-week I focus on distribution and then activations happen during the rest of the week. My days involve visiting our “passion points,” which could be shops, barbers, or tattoo studios that we work with, who share the Jameson lifestyle. I try to build a genuine connection so we can hopefully organise future events with them. If there’s an activation that week, I’ll spend the day organising everything I need for the event.
Tell us more about your onboarding/induction experience?
The induction experience was the highlight of my time so far. I spent three weeks learning everything about Jameson, as a product and as a brand. It was amazing to get to know all the other Brand Ambassadors during that time, as well as getting to know people at all our locations – our head office in Simmonscourt, the Midleton Distillery, Bow Street and our bottling operations in Dublin. As I’m from France, it took me a few days to completely understand the Irish accent. But once I got it, I was grand (as they say in Ireland).
How do you stay connected with your other Brand Ambassadors across the globe?
I try my best to stay in touch with everyone around the globe as we have a great community of Brand Ambassadors. I generally stay in touch through Instagram.
What skills do you think are needed to be a successful Brand Ambassador?
To be a successful Brand Ambassador, I’d say the most important skill is being outgoing, passionate about the brand, a good communicator and confident. You also need to be organised, a self starter and be autonomous and open to learning.
What kind of learning opportunities have been available to you through the Programme?
I learnt a lot during the three weeks onboarding and it really helped set me up for success. The team also run “staying connected” sessions with other International Brand Ambassadors across the world. There is also an online learning platform called Coursera where you can do both short courses and really build your skillset which is fantastic.
Tell us more about the country you are currently based in? What is the culture like and what are the people like?
Andalucía in Spain is amazing. People are really laid back and friendly. Tapas and flamenco are really big here so sharing a convivial meal with friends is engrained in people in the region. There is a true saying here “Andalusían treat strangers as their friends, and friends as their family”.
When you are not working as a Brand Ambassador, how do you spend your free time?
When I’m not working as a Brand Ambassador, I like to get involved in sport and get out into nature. I do a lot of climbing and hiking outside Granada. I also love photography and I love learning how to play musical instruments. I also like to go on surfing trips along the coasts of Spain and Portugal or to go to music festivals.
What advice would you give someone about to apply to the Programme?
Firstly, if you are considering applying, I’d reach out to the current Brand Ambassadors so you can understand what they are doing day-to-day. It will help you really understand if the role is for you. Secondly, believe in yourself and be confident and show your authentic self during the process.
What would you like to do post programme?
I’d love to keep organising events and work more on the production/technical areas of event management. I love working with people so no matter what I do I think it needs to be something around people.
Describe your experience in 3 words
Autonomy, Connection, Creativity.
Interested in becoming our next Jameson Brand Ambassador at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard? Learn more HERE
