Bacardi appoints new global comms chief

Bacardi has appointed a new global chief communication officer to drive the internal and external corporate comms, marketing and media strategies.

K. C. Kavanagh joins the Bermuda-based spirits company, the largest spirits company still in private hands, after 18 years at leisure group Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, where she looked after its portfolio of brands including the Sheraton and the St Regis hotel.

In her new role as senior vice president and global chief communication officer, she will work with chief executive office Mike Dolan, and will also take on the historic corporate and brand archives which involves the protect of legacies and brand trademarks.

Dolan said he was delighted to welcome Kavanagh to the team.

“Her significant corporate and global experience, coupled with her success in launching and nurturing luxury, lifestyle and next generation brands, dovetails perfectly with our efforts to innovatively market our brands and cultivate meaningful relationships with our consumers around the globe,” he said.

Kavanagh said she was looking forward to working with the team to bring to life the company’s brands across a variety of creative and dynamic platforms.

She is taking over from outgoing comms director Jim Gallagher who will step down at the end of the year.

Bacardi, which was founded in 1862, comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including Bacardi rum, Grey Goose vodka, Dewar’s Blended Scotch whisky, Bombay Sapphire gin, and Martini vermouth.