Author: sHq_LoGiNz

This Women’s Month, Bacardi shines a spotlight on Global VP Emma Fox, who, having helped bring a fresh take to the world of Spritz with the ST-GERMAIN Spritz, was recently appointed to also lead Global Marketing for MARTINI, one of the most iconic brands in the world of drinks. 

The growing trend for lighter tasting cocktails, that are lower in alcohol, has helped the rise of the Spritz. In the 2025 Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, the Spritz was ranked as number three in the list of most popular cocktails with only the Mojito and Margarita more popular. Now, with her new responsibility for helping to drive the growth of MARTINI and the introduction this summer of the brand’s new signature drink, the MARTINI Bianco Spritz, Emma Fox is truly championing the Spritz occasion.

What’s a typical day like for you? 

I love that no day is ever the same. In my new role as Global VP for MARTINI & ST-GERMAIN, one day I can be out talking to our commercial leaders about their plans for the coming year and the next I can be meeting the owners of beautiful bars in cities like Paris, Madrid or London, or speaking to our fabulous MARTINI team in Italy, about the harvesting of our botanical ingredients for our classic MARTINI vermouth. 

When you started in marketing, did you picture yourself here? 

I have enjoyed a varied career in the hospitality industry. It’s always a place I’ve enjoyed, whether I’ve been working behind the bar or in front of it. 

Working for Bacardi, it’s a real privilege to know our drinks are part of special moments in people’s lives, both big and small, and I am in awe of the amazing talent working in bars who create these beautiful experiences for people to enjoy. It really is an art form and it’s personal! 

What is your favorite thing about your job? 

What I love about Bacardi is that as a family-owned company it’s deeply personal, from the relationships you build to the results you deliver. And I love that I get to work with so many different people in many different roles across the Bacardi business and across the world. We treat Bacardi like our own business and each of us can make a real difference.

There is also nothing more exciting than seeing great work go out the door and make a difference to our business. When I’m sitting in a bar and I hear someone order a cocktail made with ST-GERMAIN or MARTINI or friends discover a great drink with MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Vibrante, it genuinely makes my day. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? 

I’ve had a lot of good and not so good advice, but these four stand out for me… 

1. You don’t need to dim other people’s light to shine. 

2. We spend a lot of time working together so surround yourself with people you trust and value.

3. The best teams are ones that have a mix of talents, experiences and background. We should not be carbon copies of each other, if we want to understand the world around us.

4. Keep it simple. The best ideas in the world won’t get off the page if no one understands them. 

If you could enjoy a spritz with any historical figure, who would it be and where? 

Since I’m new to the wonderful world of MARTINI I would love to travel back in time to the 1860s and enjoy a spritz or two with the brand’s founders, entrepreneur Alessandro Martini and master herbalist Luigi Rossi, at the home of MARTINI in Pessione, Italy. Imagine the stories! 

What is your proudest career achievement? 

The journey on ST-GERMAIN is something I’m truly proud of. It’s been a transformational time for the brand and for me personally – it’s really helped me define the type of leader I want to be. Looking forwards, it’s the honor of beginning a new era for MARTINI, a true drinks industry icon. Cheers! 
 

– ENDS –

^{Please drink responsibly.}

^{Media contact}

^{Andrew Carney, Corporate Communications Director, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean
acarney@bacardi.com}

^{About Bacardi Limited 
Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 163 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 8,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.}

^{About MARTINI}

^{One of the most iconic brands in the world, MARTINI® is the leading name in Italian winemaking and a purveyor of the highest quality vermouths and sparkling wines. The award-winning, vibrant and bittersweet taste of the MARTINI range is the result of secret blends of more than 40 botanicals sourced from the finest locations across the globe. First created in 1863 in Turin, Italy, the MARTINI portfolio today includes: MARTINI Bianco, Rosso, Fiero, Rosato & Extra Dry, MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Vibrante & Floreale, MARTINI Asti, Prosecco & Rosé Extra Dry. For more information, please visit www.martini.com.}

^{MARTINI AND THE BALL & BAR LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS.}

^{About ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur 
ST-GERMAIN is a French liqueur made using fresh, wild, handpicked elderflower blossoms. ST-GERMAIN brings a dash of inspiration and a touch of something playful and unexpected to your favorite cocktail, be that a Hugo Spritz, Margarita, Elderfashioned, Royale or a creation of your own design. The fresh, wild elderflowers help give ST-GERMAIN its distinctive sweet, bright and light taste that is unforgettable once tasted: indulgent, yet delicate with a sweetness, and hints of honeysuckle and pear. Gently blended in France using the Savoir-Faire of our Master Liqueurist and Master of Botanicals, ST-GERMAIN is acclaimed for its uncanny ability to add a universally delicious twist to any cocktail. ST-GERMAIN has received some of the highest accolades in the spirits industry and has been heralded as one of the most influential cocktail components of the last decade. Please visit: www.stgermainliqueur.com.}

 

^{ST-GERMAIN, ITS TRADE DRESS AND VIE PARISIENNE EN BOUTEILLE ARE TRADEMARKS.}

^{MARTINI and the ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur brands are part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.}

Carrissa Dowdy, Manager, Product Formulation, was invited to speak to the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) group as part of their Women’s Empowerment Series. Local NBC5 news anchor, Deborah Ferguson, champions the program and invited Carrissa to sit down for a candid conversation about being a woman in STEM.

Students were captivated with her inspiring journey, highlighting the challenges she overcame and the perseverance required to thrive in a male-dominated field. The opportunity not only showcased Carrissa’s exceptional career achievements but also showed students the many ways career paths can twist and turn. Her powerful message reinforced the importance of resilience and confidence in pursuing careers in science and leadership.

“It was truly inspiring to meet these bright young women and share my story,” said Carrissa. “Seeing their excitement and determination reminded me of why I am passionate about encouraging the next generation of women in STEM. This is just the beginning for them!”

The event was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on the students and reminding us all of the importance of representation, mentorship, and empowerment. Mary Kay remains committed to inspiring the next generation of young women in STEM through mentoring, grants, and providing opportunities to nurture their curiosity.

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

Hundreds, if not thousands, of marathons are organized across the globe each year, but just seven are designated World Marathon Majors: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City, Sydney (added in 2024) and Tokyo. Runners who complete the Original Six Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) join an exclusive club and earn the running community’s highly sought-after Six Star Medal. Fewer than 5,400 Americans have earned Six Star Medals. One of them is now DICK’S Sporting Goods Field Marketing Manager Jessica Gillman.

“It’s been a long road,” Gillman said. “It wasn’t always easy, and often wasn’t linear, but I never gave up.”

Gillman was a lifelong athlete but only started running in 2017, a year after having her first son. A day before the Ogden Half Marathon in Utah, Gillman was offered a bib to run. Despite not training, she said sure.

“It was actually miserable,” Gillman admitted. “I just kept thinking ‘Why in the world would anyone do this?’”

After finishing the race though, Gillman started thinking about what the experience would be like if she did take the time to train for a marathon. She signed up for the 2018 New York City Marathon, but once again, didn’t have a great time.

“I trained, but I wouldn’t say I trained well,” Gillman said.

Instead of hanging up her running shoes, Gillman decided to try again. She registered for the 2019 London Marathon and committed to a training regimen, which she said changed everything.

“Ogden and New York were learning curves,” said Gillman. “For London, I trained right and had a blast!”

With a newfound love of marathon running and two Abbott WMM under her belt, Gillman set her sights on earning the Six Star Medal. A few months after London, she ran the Chicago Marathon.

Following a COVID-19 cancellation and second pregnancy, Gillman ran the historic Boston Marathon in 2022 – just seven months after giving birth to her daughter.

“I had to run in 2022, or I would need to requalify,” Gillman said. “So, I put a lot of pressure on myself because no one wants to run Boston poorly.”

Gillman finished the marathon but suffered bursitis in her Achilles tendon. The injury required a treatment of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and forced Gillman to defer the Berlin Marathon while she recovered.

In September 2024, one year after giving birth to her third baby, Gillman ran the Berlin Marathon. Then, it was time for her final WMM: the Tokyo Marathon.

Gillman traveled to Tokyo with her oldest son, now 8 years old, to cheer her on.

“All his life he’s known his mom does races,” said Gillman. “I wanted him to be at the finish line and see me achieve my goal.”

On March 2, 2025 – eight years, three pregnancies, a serious injury and a global pandemic after her journey began – Gillman earned her Six Star Medal by finishing Tokyo in 3:20:23.

“It felt really, really good,” Gillman said. “This goal helped me find balance and a sense of self amidst the chaos of motherhood and working full time.”

While Gillman said her marathon days are over for now, she said there’s always going to be something in her future from a fitness and sport perspective.

“Maybe an IRONMAN,” Gillman laughed. “We’ll see!”