Woodford Reserve appoints new PR manager

Kentucky Bourbon brand Woodford Reserve has appointed Chris Poynter as its new public relations and partnership manager.

Chris Poynter joins the Kentucky Bourbon brand from the Louisville Metro Government

From 5 February, Poynter will be responsible for public relations activities at the distillery, with a particular focus on the whisky maker’s deal sponsoring the Kentucky Derby horse race.

Mark Bacon, Woodford Reserve global brand director, said: “Chris Poynter has more than two decades of experience in the communications and public relations field and we are confident he will contribute immediately to the Woodford Reserve team as we prepare for our expanding sponsorship role with the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs.”

Poynter joins Woodford Reserve after working as communications director at the Louisville Metro Government, where he served under mayors Greg Fischer and Jerry Abramson.

Prior to that, Poynter worked for nine years as a reporter and copy editor at the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Last year, Poynter was named Communicator of the Year by the National Association of Government Communicators for his efforts following the death of Muhammad Ali, when Louisville was in the global spotlight.

Last year, the Kentucky-based distiller extended its Master’s Collection range with the launch of the Cherry Wood Smoked Barley expression.