Cominghome
Saoirse O’Driscoll and Conor Breen, two graduates on the Jameson International Graduate Programme, share their experiences abroad and making the decision to come back home
“During my time as a brand ambassador for Jameson, I lived and worked in three amazing countries: Cyprus, France and Sweden,” says Saoirse O’Driscoll. “Before doing the programme, I always wanted to go down the consultancy route after my final year in Trinity College, but after attending a career fair, I was drawn to the international aspect of working with Jameson and being a part of a fast-paced environment.
“Working in three vastly different countries over the three years, I experienced the challenges and opportunities for Jameson on an international level and developed my knowledge of marketing. I had amazing opportunities to develop and activate the brand and these experiences fully lived up to my expectations of what the programme would be like.”
After finishing the programme, O’Driscoll is now in a permanent role of Assistant Brand Manager in the Jameson Portfolio and Trade Marketing Team in Dublin. This involves working on new product launches, designing packaging for new products, as well as trade marketing.
“My decision to come back to Ireland was a very quick and spontaneous one. Coming up to the end of the programme, I had neither fully decided if I would stay abroad or go back to Ireland. For me, it was more about the next role and opportunity rather than where it would be. I knew I wanted to stay with Jameson and when my current role came up, I knew it was something I would be really interested in and was very lucky to get the role.
“I would never say no to travelling again. I grew up in five countries by the time I was five, so travelling and visiting new places is basically in my blood! The fact that I have had the opportunity to work with Jameson both abroad, and now in Ireland, has opened so many doors and the opportunity to see the brand from two completely different perspectives.”
Conor Breen, who worked in Oslo, Dallas and New York during his time as Brand Ambassador, agrees, “What excites me about a career with Irish Distillers is that it could lead me to any corner of the globe. I’ve grown as a marketer and developed personally. In my three years working abroad, I have touched so many areas within the marketing wheel, including innovation, digital, brand strategy and brand activation.
“Luckily, my Irish whiskey story continues. I transitioned into my new role as the Associate Brand Manager on Powers and the Prestige Whiskey Portfolio with Irish Distillers in Dublin. I support the Brand Manager in developing and executing brand plans, and provide support on product launches. In the past two months alone, our team launched three new additions to our Prestige Whiskey family in the Irish market: Greenspot Chateau Montelena, Midleton Very Rare 2017 and Midleton Dair Ghaelach.”
Breen adds: “A major benefit of working with Irish Distillers has been the supportive nature of people that work here. No matter whether I was in Norway or Dallas, there was always someone at home base that would be there to answer a career question if needs be, and that support follows through in Ireland today.
“There is huge value in being exposed to different consumer and brand behaviours in other countries. I think travelling and operating in diverse work environments can only make you a more rounded professional.”
O’Driscoll adds, “Having the choice to either be based at home or abroad is an advantage of a career with Irish Distillers. Being abroad allows you to come back and use the worldly experience you’ve gained, while learning more from those working in Ireland. I think that you learn to appreciate home more after being away, Ireland is a great place after all!”