Rob Samuels New COO at MM.

[cowdery]

I learned about the naming of Rob Samuels to the position of Chief Operating Officer at Maker's Mark when a reporter called me yesterday for a comment. Dale posted Bill Samuels' announcement of it in Industry News here.

Reacting to the reporter off the top of my head I said a couple of things. Most of all I think it symbolizes Beam's intention to leave Maker's alone, at least so far as anyone can see. Rob is now in place to replace his father when that day comes.

That's all well and good, but the cynic in me wonders how meaningful a title like that is when Maker's Mark is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beam Global, which is itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortune Brands. You'll notice that the announcement makes no mention of that and encourages the illusion that Maker's Mark is independent, run by the Samuels family, which has not in fact been the case in nearly 30 years.

Part of the problem is title inflation. When I started in advertisiing each agency had one creative director. That was the title of the person who ran the agency's creative department. Today everyone with more than six months experience is a creative director and big agencies have hundreds of them.

When the term 'president' became meaningless because so many presidents were really just division heads, everybody started to be the "Chief" something or other. Now that's pretty debased too.

This is nothing against Rob who I don't know. We've never met. Considering how long and how deeply I've been involved in this business, that may tell you something right there.

So is he really just going to be a brand ambassador? A living link to the brand's heritage, like Fred Noe is at Beam. Not knowing Rob I don't know if his personality is anything like his dad's but I doubt it. Bill Samuels is one-of-a-kind. One hopes for his sake that Rob has been given a job that will make good use of his talents and experience, and not just his ancestry.

[SBOmarc]

Continuity.

I see MM as that kind of company. They are operating as a part of the whole, to most this will go under the radar. I think it is in Beam Global and Fortune Brands best interest to keep it that way.

[cowdery]

Continuity.

I see MM as that kind of company. They are operating as a part of the whole, to most this will go under the radar. I think it is in Beam Global and Fortune Brands best interest to keep it that way.

Leave it to us to spoil their fun.

[NeoTexan]

I believe we have seen the last of the costumes.....

[TomFischer]

Just two days before the official announcement by Maker's Mark, we interviewed Rob in the video linked at the end of this article: Rob Samuels

Interview from The Bourbon Chase as Rob had just been running a leg in the race. I am impressed with Rob.

Congratulations Rob on becoming the new COO!

[pepcycle]

The winds of change at Maker's are already upon us.

We've had several Master Distiller changes, increase in production and associated technology, introduction of new product(s), change in management, ballooning storage capacity..................

I think we all hope that it will result in good change but not too much!!!!

What's next??

The Makers Hotel and Bourbon College in Loreto?

A full fledged catering and dining location?

Bourbon Dude Ranch?

ATV trails and campground?

Golf?

Lake Maker's and the Bassmasters Tour?

Extend the Bourbon Train to Loreto and connect the Bourbon Trail with rails and trails?

Maker"s Adult Living Center and Nursing Home

Makers Cattle Ranch?

Destination Wedding Chapel and Casino?

[Gillman]

Ed, I'll settle for Maker's Mark 8 years old 107 proof.

Gary

[BourbonJoe]

Sign me up for the Maker"s Adult Living Center and Nursing Home

Joe :usflag:

[barturtle]

The Makers Hotel and Bourbon College in Loreto?

But you wouldn't ever get to see your diploma after it's sealed in the bottle with wax.

A full fledged catering and dining location?

Calamari Tendrils anyone?

Bourbon Dude Ranch?

I can just see the little mini rickhouse, with its daily rotation of barrels.

ATV trails and campground?

Each atv equipped with a breathalyzer ignition interlock.

Golf?

Sporting Clays "Golf with a gun"?

Lake Maker's and the Bassmasters Tour?

Limited Edition Bottled Lake Water!

Extend the Bourbon Train to Loreto and connect the Bourbon Trail with rails and trails?

Yeah, not so sure I'd care to go off highway into those woods during growing season.

Maker"s Adult Living Center and Nursing Home

Dipped Depends and Tendriled Dentures.

Makers Cattle Ranch?

Wax dipped cowpies?

Destination Wedding Chapel and Casino?

His and her bottles, double-dipped to match your wedding theme, with matching minis for all your guests...we'll even dip the tails on your tux!

[StraightBoston]

His and her bottles, double-dipped to match your wedding theme, with matching minis for all your guests...we'll even dip the tails on your tux!

[SMOWK]

to a non-bourbon drinker