Top Shelf Integrity: Recent Episodes
Beam Suntory | Soulfire Productions
They’re the best sales team in the business...the spirits business that is, and they’re going to show you how they do it. Top Shelf Integrity gives you an inside look at how the Beam Suntory On-Premise sales team maintains their best-in-class standards of excellence through a combination of service and responsibility... and a hearty shot of integrity.
This podcast is by the industry for the industry.
Through conversations with leaders at Beam Suntory, you’ll learn what it is that makes the On-Premise sales team the “go-to” sales team in the alcohol industry through tactical business and sales advice grounded in the team’s collective decades of experience.
Business is changing by the second and the only way to stay ahead of the curve is to have a killer team by your side. With Top Shelf Integrity, you’ve got yours.
Christina Kollereb is the Director of On-Premise Consumer Marketing at Beam Suntory for North America, and she is joined by the Director of Shopper Insights at Beam Suntory, James Melucci. In today’s conversation, they discuss the creative ways Beam Suntory helps their clients better understand what consumers are looking for from on-premise sites.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Why consumer insights are so valuable for strategy
- Beam Suntory’s process for gathering consumer insights
- Menu engineering: using data & creating ‘test and learn’ environments
- What determines quality consumer insights
- How inflation affects consumer awareness
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Rachel Harris is the Vice President of On-Premise in the United States at Beam-Suntory, and Hiro Hayakawa is the Director of On-Premise Center of Excellence in the United States. Today, Rachel and Hiro talk about the role of On-Premise Portfolio Managers in scaling the On-Premise and their approach to building demand with their portfolio of brands.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- The role of On-Premise Portfolio managers
- How OPPMs play a key role in building demand & scaling business
- How to be a successful OPPM
- Infusing Japanese concepts into management
- The value in having OPPMs as internal employees
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Rachel Harris is the Vice President of On-Premise in the United States at Beam-Suntory, and she is joined by the Senior National Account Manager for Hotels at Beam-Suntory USA, Lisa Nelson. In today’s conversation, they discuss where the hotel channel was before and during the pandemic and how it survived as the hardest hit sub-channel during COVID, along with what consumers can expect for the future of their hotel experiences.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- The impact of the pandemic on the hotel channel
- How to support the unique demands of the hotel channel
- How the customer experience of the hotel channel has changed
- The future of the hotel channel
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Kathleen DiBenedetto is the Senior Director of Seed Brands, and she is joined by Atsushi “Charlie” Takeuchi whose expertise is the Whisky Highball. Charlie shares his journey in building the highball business from the ground up in the U.S. after his successful experience in Japan with the Highball Machine. Kathleen talks about building Sipsmith as a high opportunity brand in the U.S, and together they discuss the challenges, opportunities, and insights from their time in this business.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- The Whisky Highball’s history and success in Japan
- Challenges & opportunities in growing the Highball in the states
- Building trust & exceeding the consumer’s expectations
- Customizing a brand to fit a culture
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, Rachel Harris, is joined by Paula Erickson, SVP, Global, Chief Human Resources Officer, Beam Suntory. In today’s conversation from the video series “Proof You Can,” Rachel and Paula dive into why self-awareness is crucial to your success as a leader. They unpack the importance of listening to your employees' concerns and ways to gather their feedback to create meaningful action.
Watch the full episode on Rachel Harris's Instagram and LinkedIn, see below.
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Christina Kollereb is the Director of On-Premise Consumer Marketing for Beam Suntory, USA and she is joined today by Beam Suntory’s Regional Account Mixologist, Amy Probasco. Amy unpacks her career evolution in mixology and bartending, sharing the ways she continues to grow in her craft and stay relevant in an industry that is always shifting.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Amy’s career evolution within mixology & how she continues to evolve
- The methodology behind the craft of mixology
- Resilience within the bar and restaurant industry
- How to stay relevant in an industry that’s always changing
- Where Amy gains inspiration for new cocktail recipes
- What to know about the hospitality side of mixology
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Dan Cohen is the Senior PR and Social Media Director at Beam Suntory, and he is joined by Adam Harris, the Advocacy Manager for Beam Suntory. Today they unpack the dynamic role of a brand ambassador, the qualities that make up a great one, and the values they must uphold.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- The value a brand ambassador provides to bars, brands, & the industry
- Traits that make up a great brand ambassador
- The role of education & inclusivity in being a brand ambassador
- Advice for becoming a brand ambassador
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, Rachel Harris, is joined by Carlo Coppola, Chief Commercial Officer at Beam Suntory USA. Today’s conversation is an excerpt from the video series “Proof You Can,” where Rachel and Carlo talk about how change affects an organization, and how working across an organization, top down bottom up, is so important to that organization’s success.
Watch the full episode on Rachel Harris's Instagram and LinkedIn, see below.
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, Rachel Harris, is joined by Ken Ruff, VP of National Accounts of On-Premise Beam Suntory USA, and Emily Williams Knight, Chief Collaboration Officer and Executive VP of Industry Relations. Today’s conversation from the video series “Proof You Can” unpacks how consumers and employees can feel reassured about safety as we begin to return to restaurants and bars from the pandemic.
Watch the full episode on Rachel Harris's Instagram and LinkedIn, see below.
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, Rachel Harris, is joined by Heather Boyd, the Managing Director of Beam Suntory USA’s Ready-To-Drink business, and John Horn, the Customer VP for Hotel and Regional Accounts of On-Premise Beam Suntory USA. Today’s sneak peek inside the video series “Proof You Can” explores the innovations they have brought to the table during the pandemic, like Cocktails-To-Go, and what goes into this level of problem-solving.
Watch the full episode on Rachel Harris's Instagram and LinkedIn, see below.
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
John Horn is the Customer VP for Hotel and Regional Accounts of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, and he is joined by Rachel Harris, the VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory. Today’s conversation is about staying curious, allowing fear to push you, and how to advocate for yourself in your career growth. John and Rachel share their personal journeys in the alcohol and beverage industry, and their insights on pursuing experiences over titles, how passion is tied to motivation, and fully embracing each role before you move on to the next.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Career options in the alcohol & beverage industry
- John and Rachel’s career paths: pivots, successes, challenges
- Advocating for yourself for your career growth
- Staying curious & combining passion with your learning objective
- Pursuing experiences vs. titles
- How to stay motivated & have a clear vision
- Allowing your fear & discomfort to push you further
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, Rachel Harris, is joined by Nicole Letcher, Divisional VP of Mid-Atlantic USA, Beam Suntory, and Meredith McCormack, Sales Director for Eastern Region USA, Beam Suntory. Tune in for a peek into the next episode from the new video series “Proof You Can.” They explore how being females in a male-dominated industry allowed them to shake up the norm and pave the path for future female leaders.
Watch the full episode on Rachel Harris's Instagram and LinkedIn, see below.
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Follow Rachel:
- Instagram: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Robin Nance is the Senior Manager of Trade Engagement at Beam Suntory, and she is joined by Monique Ozanne, the Director for North America on the Diversity and Inclusion team. Today, Robin and Monique talk about the role of Employee Impact Groups at Beam Suntory, and how they lead to cultural change within organizations. They also unpack how the hospitality industry is setting the pace for the social justice conversation in the spirits industry.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Employee impact groups for diverse & inclusive work environments
- How to inspire cultural & organizational change
- The long-term vision for DE&I at Beam Suntory
- What we can learn from the hospitality industry about social justice
- How the hospitality industry affects the spirits industry
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, Rachel Harris, is joined by Megan Briar, the U.S. On-Premise Trade Relations Manager for Maker’s Mark, and Beth Burrows, the U.S. American Whiskey Ambassador for Kentucky. Tune in for a peek into the KPIs of Positivity episode from the new video series “Proof You Can.” They unpack what it means to maintain a positive mindset and the role it plays in the alcohol and beverage industry and in general, hospitality.
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Dan Cohen is the Senior PR and Social Media Director at Beam Suntory, and he is joined by Jon Marks, the Senior Director of Global Small Batch, American Whiskey at Beam Suntory. Today, Dan and Jon talk about brand building and marketing, unpacking all the nuances of marketing to consumers along with the role bartenders play in the customer journey.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- What to consider when crafting a true & rich brand story
- The assets and tools used by the sales team to market brands
- The risks involved in marketing influential & coveted brands
- How to advertise & develop a brand in an authentic way
- Why the concept of ‘Gemba’ is a key principle in marketing
- The consumer journey & the role the bartender plays
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
John Horn is the Vice President of Hotels and Regional Accounts at Beam Suntory, and he is joined by the Senior Marketing Director, Marguerite Allolding. Today, they discuss entrepreneurship and how the experience of working as an entrepreneur at smaller endeavors translates into larger organizations, specifically for John and Marguerite—in the spirits world at Beam Suntory.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- What makes up an entrepreneurial mindset & not fearing failure
- John & Marguerite’s journeys from smaller companies to Beam Suntory
- Embedding an entrepreneurial spirit into your business
- Creating a new product in a small vs. big business
- Entrepreneurship and innovation in the On-Premise
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Today’s conversation is about building global leaders, and what it takes to facilitate the growth of others. You’ll hear from four leaders across the Beam Suntory business units on their approach to innovation, evaluating business strategies, and empowering their teams to unlock each individual’s full potential.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Failure as opportunity & pushing out of your comfort zone
- Innovation & growth mindset as every team members job
- Creating a clear strategy map with actions & risk assessment
- Learning to lead by influence vs. authority
- Building confidence & communication in your teams
- What they learned during Suntory’s global leadership program, Beyond Borders
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Rachel Harris is the VP of On-Premise at Beam Suntory, and she is joined by the Director of On-Premise Consumer Marketing, Christina Kollereb. Today, Rachel and Christina unpack how they work with their On-Premise partners, and find synergies with their spirit brands and the brand they’re building with restaurants or bars. They talk about their collaborative conversations and engaging presentations for standing out against other suppliers. Christina also shares how Beam Suntory looks at shared goals with corporate chains to create initiatives, like their Positive Proof Initiative for building a sustainable future.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- How Beam Suntory brings engaging program ideas & insights to partners
- Programs created to elevate bourbon brands with chain account customers
- Common initiatives between Beam Suntory and corporate chains for building a sustainable future
- How to handle challenges that go against brand strategies
- Evolving your customer marketing team to better service customers
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
VP of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, Rachel Harris, is joined by the former President of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, Caroline Rosen. Today’s episode is a first listen into Beam Suntory’s upcoming “Proof You Can” video series where they will be sharing cocktails and swapping stories about the alcohol and beverage industry.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- How to rebuild the industry during and after the pandemic subsides
- How the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is looking towards the future
- What they’ve learned from the pandemic & how they pivoted into virtual education
- Ways organizations have come together for the betterment of the industry
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Dan Cohen is the Senior PR Director and Head of Social Media at Beam Suntory, and he is joined by the Senior PR Manager, Lana Ohs. Today, Dan and Lana share their insight into Public Relations within the beverage industry, unpacking how Beam Suntory approaches education and collaboration with bartenders and other influencers.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Who is considered an influencer in the beverage industry
- Creating programs that excite and educate influencers on brand stories & their values
- How to approach collaborating with bartenders and other influencers in the industry
- Gain insight and learnings from those who see trends first hand
- Prioritizing diversity and inclusivity
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Kathleen DiBenedetto is the Senior Director of Seed Brands, and she is joined by Atsushi “Charlie” Takeuchi whose expertise is the whisky Highball. Today, they explore how the Beam family and Suntory family contribute to who Beam Suntory is as an organization, and how they differentiate themselves from the landscape of so many brands by honoring legacy. Learn how Beam Suntory inspires passion and a commitment to innovation through their strong founder spirit and family business model!
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Inspiring passion & teamwork through the family business model
- How Beam Suntory sets itself apart by honoring their strong founders’ spirits
- Beam Suntory’s commitment to adding value & growing for good vs. growing for profit
- How to take your business to the next level through innovation
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Ken Ruff is the Vice President of National Accounts of On-Premise at Beam Suntory, and Kathleen DiBenedetto is the Senior Director of Seed Brands. Today, Ken and Kathleen share how times have changed in each of their 30 years at Beam Suntory, along with the values and culture that have kept them excited and loving their careers year after year. They each share their knowledge of the sales and marketing industry, including the most important elements for success and how they mentor their employees.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- The culture & values of Beam Suntory that have kept Ken & Kathleen there for 30 years
- How Beam Suntory brings their brands' legacies forward, showing the heart of each company
- Authenticity and truth as core values of Beam Suntory
- The most important elements of success in marketing & sales today
- The future of the alcoholic beverage industry
- Advice for employees for growing in their career
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Rachel Harris is the Vice President of On-Premise at Beam Suntory, and John Horn is the Customer Vice President for Hotel and Regional Accounts of On-Premise. In today’s conversation, Rachel and John unpack what it means to be a great leader and how leadership styles have evolved at Beam Suntory. They talk about cultivating an environment where your team feels safe to voice their opinions, and how trust, vulnerability, and diversity play a role in building an exceptional team.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- How Rachel & John developed into their leadership roles and styles
- Building teams that are diverse in thought & experience
- Why vulnerability is a powerful tool in leadership
- Empowering your team by asking questions
- Building a team from scratch - creating a team culture & individual trust
- The evolution of leadership style within Beam Suntory
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Dan Cohen is the Senior PR Director and Head of Social Media at Beam Suntory, and Christina Kollereb is the Senior Marketing Manager for National Accounts On-Premise. In today’s episode, Dan and Christina discuss why implementing Cocktails-To-Go during the pandemic was a lifeline for the service industry, and unpack the challenges and creativity that went into developing this new system.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- How Cocktails-To-Go supports bars & restaurants
- The luxury and convenience of Cocktails-To-Go for consumers
- The social media presence of this initiative
- Two biggest obstacles with implementing this new system
- The future of Cocktails-To-Go and On The Rocks
- Future cocktail trends as bars are opening
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Dan Cohen is the Senior PR Director and Head of Social Media at Beam Suntory. Dan is joined by Atsushi "Charlie" Takeuchi, whose expertise is the whisky Highball. Before coming to Chicago in 2016 to maximize the growth of Highball in the U.S., Charlie spent 18 years in Japan working for Suntory, and was part of the team who developed the Highball machine. Today, Charlie shares how Highball gained its popularity, and why the creation of the Highball machine was a game-changer for the beverage market.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- Whisky Highball as part of Japanese culture
- Charlie’s transition from Japan to the U.S. with the Suntory Highball machine
- How Suntory came up with the concept of a Highball machine
- The evolution and future of Highball
- What makes a quality, refreshing Highball & the room for innovation with crafting one
- The differences between a Japanese Highball and a Highball in the states
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Website: beamsuntory.com
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
John Horn is the Customer Vice President for Hotel and Regional Accounts of On-Premise at Beam Suntory, and Ken Ruff is the Vice President of National Accounts. Today, John and Ken share insight into their departments and how On-Premise at Beam Suntory creates long-lasting value for their customers. Standing out in the beverage industry can be tricky with the wide range of options, so John and Ken are here to explore what it means to have a customer-centric, forward-thinking approach to best serve your customers and consumers.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- The pros of Beam Suntory’s customer-centric approach
- Building long-term relationships with customers vs. focusing on short-term wins
- Having a diverse team of talent that also reflects your customers and consumers
- Creating an environment that empowers employees to be leaders
- Servicing customers and utilizing insights for continuous growth
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
- Website: beamsuntory.com
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
Rachel Harris is the Vice President of On-Premise USA at Beam Suntory, and she is joined by Kathleen DiBenedetto, the Senior Director of Seed Brands. Today, Rachel and Kathleen unpack how Beam Suntory approached the pandemic and activities they did throughout the year to support their trade partners and community. Learn how they put into action their saying, “come as a friend, leave as a family” and why the focus of Beam Suntory is always on the value of the individual. You’ll also hear stories from past generations, like how Jim Beam overcame adversity and took care of his employees during prohibition.
Today on Top Shelf Integrity:
- What sets Beam Suntory apart in their leadership style
- Programs that were created to support trade partners during the pandemic, like Shift-Meals-To-Go
- Core values of Beam Suntory: the emphasis that people are family
- Ways Beam Suntory focuses on their customers' success & invests in their people
- Virtual trainings and tastings around crafting cocktails
- Sharing stories from past generations and learning from mistakes
Follow Beam Suntory:
- Instagram: @beamsuntory
- Website: beamsuntory.com
Proof You Can:
- Follow Rachel: @rachelsharris_
- LinkedIn: Rachel Harris
This show is produced by Soulfire Productions
They’re the best sales team in the business...the spirits business that is, and they’re going to show you how they do it. Top Shelf Integrity gives you an inside look at how the Beam Suntory On-Premise sales team maintains their best-in-class standards of excellence through a combination of service and responsibility... and a hearty shot of integrity.
This podcast is by the industry for the industry.
Through conversations with leaders at Beam Suntory, you’ll learn what it is that makes the On-Premise sales team the “go-to” sales team in the alcohol industry through tactical business and sales advice grounded in the team’s collective decades of experience.
Business is changing by the second and the only way to stay ahead of the curve is to have a killer team by your side. With Top Shelf Integrity, you’ve got yours.