Beam Suntory names new public affairs exec

Beam Suntory has hired Yum! Brands executive Brett Hale as its new vice president, global public affairs.

Hale joins the Illinois, US-based company from Yum! Brands, where he currently acts as vice president, global government relations, with responsibility for conducting global government relations on behalf of the company’s three major brands: KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

Previously, Hale spent four years as senior vice president, corporate affairs at racing, gaming and entertainment company Churchill Downs Incorporated and eight years as vice president, government relations at the American Gaming Association.

“Brett brings to Beam Suntory an impressive career of public policy engagement with lawmakers, regulators and coalitions in regulated industry environments,” said Clarkson Hine, senior vice president, corporate communications and public affairs at Beam Suntory.

“With his experience in Kentucky, Washington and globally, Brett will be a key leader for us as we confront our public affairs challenges and opportunities as a company and as an industry.”

Joining the company on 12 September, Hale will be based Beam Suntory’s offices in Louisville, Kentucky.

In July this year, Maker’s Mark producer Beam Suntory made some key finance appointments, naming Marc Andre Tousignant as CFO Americas and Diego Reynoso as CFO global supply chain.