Beam Global Spirits & Wine Strengthens Communications Team

DEERFIELD, Ill.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], a global leader in premium spirits, has added seasoned communications veterans Paula Erickson and Dan Cohen to the Beam Global communications team. As vice president of global external communications and brand public relations, Erickson assumes responsibility for the Beam Global corporate and brand communications strategies. As a brand PR manager, Cohen represents Courvoisier® Cognac, The Small Batch Bourbon Collection® and El Tesoro de Don Felipe® Tequila, among other brands.

"Paula and Dan are welcome additions to the Beam Global family," said Chris Swonger, senior vice president of corporate affairs, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. "They have excellent communications backgrounds and will be integral in elevating our brands and interactions with the media and other key influencers. Paula and Dan will be vital to helping us achieve our vision of ‘Building brands people want to talk about'."

Erickson joins Beam Global from Ace Hardware Corp., where she spent more than 15 years with the company in several positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently, she was the director of advertising and brand development, responsible for all creative direction, brand building, public relations, advertising, communication, retail execution and integrated marketing strategies. Erickson also previously served as director of communications and public relations at Ace. In 2007, the Dream Ace promotion she developed was honored with the highest award in mobile marketing by the Experiential Marketing Summit. She received her Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of California, San Diego.

Cohen comes to Beam Global from Edelman Public Relations, where in his role as account supervisor for consumer brands, he developed and managed award-winning public relations and media programs for AXE. He also contributed to a number of client accounts including National City Bank and Scotts Miracle-Gro. Prior to Edelman, Cohen was a reporter for the Daily Southtown Newspaper in Chicago. He received his Master of Arts in journalism from Columbia College Chicago and his Bachelor of Arts in communications from Tulane University.

Erickson began on December 1, while Cohen has been on board since October. Erickson reports to Chris Swonger, senior vice president of corporate affairs and Cohen reports to Kate Laufer, senior public relations manager.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs, Knob Creek® Bourbon and Starbucks™ Liqueurs. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company with annual sales exceeding $8 billion. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit [ www.beamglobal.com ] and [ www.drinksmart.com ].

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