By | The Muse Editors | www.themuse.com
When Reme Fernandez recounts a few of her fondest memories, here’s what comes to mind: pouring a glass of cognac for her father after lunch on Sundays, sharing stories with friends and family over a drink at a concert or gathering, and even gifting someone a bottle of a spirit that was meaningful or new to them. So when she had the opportunity to join the spirits company Beam Suntory, ”I understood this was the category I had been looking for,” she says.
After interning at Beam Suntory while earning her MBA, the company offered Fernandez a full-time role. Just two years later, she is an associate brand manager (ABM) on Jim Beam’s global team.
“Beam Suntory has constantly encouraged me to think bigger and push myself to grow further,” she says. “The company believes in my potential and wants me to succeed, supporting me along the way as I tackle each new challenge.”
And yes, employees do get an annual stipend to purchase Beam Suntory products. “The ‘ambassador dollars’ are a great way to help us enjoy and build pride in our brands, and encourage those around us to try our fantastic products,” she says. “Plus, they have increased my popularity among friends!”
Here, Fernandez shares how she went from intern to manager so quickly, what she learned by earning her MBA, and why being curious about consumers is key to succeeding in marketing.
I studied business management in undergrad, and very quickly became interested in the world of marketing. Understanding consumers—how they think, how they behave, how they make choices and connect to brands—and how companies can create products and experiences for them based on these insights was fascinating to me.