Spirit picks Brown-Forman boss to spearhead strategy

Andrew Mallinson, former marketing manager of Brown-Forman’s UK spirits division, has joined Spirit Advertising as head of strategy.

Mallinson, who was responsible for Southern Comfort’s £1m sponsorship of Channel 4’s Big Brother, will join the board of Spirit on January 3. He will report to founder and managing partner Richard Hammond.

The new role will mean Mallinson will be working with Spirits’ clients which include Psion and Blue Nun, on brand-building campaigns on a regional and global basis.

He will oversee communications strategies and research projects and work to attract new international clients to the agency.

Spirit Group includes Spirit Advertising, direct arm Spirit DPM and new media division e-Spirit.

As UK marketing manager at Brown-Forman, Mallinson oversaw Glenmorangie whisky, Finlandia vodka, Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort. He also managed the markets of France, Benelux and Greece for the group. Previously, he worked for Rothmans International.

Mallinson says: “Spirit has the potential to provide a one-stop shop for multi-national clients. The creation of this role is a clear indication the agency is prepared to invest in the future.”