In 2019 Allison Gillis began her career with Heaven Hill as an intern for the Bourbon Brand Team. Today she supports promotion of our most iconic brands, on store shelves and through social media, digital marketing and special events.

For Allison Gillis, it was her search for an opportunity to explore her creative side that drew her to a career at Heaven Hill. As an intern for the Bourbon Brand Team, she provided day-to-day support on brand promotion efforts in stores, on social media and through e-commerce.

While Allison had completed four different marketing internships to gain work experience before joining Heaven Hill, it was the project management experience she received at Heaven Hill that has helped her thrive in her career.

“I was handed a big project and was asked to lead each meeting and coordinate with outside vendors,” Allison said. “I also learned to analyze and proofread at a slower pace. What we create here will be seen by many, not just one.”

At the end of Allison’s internship, Heaven Hill offered her a full-time role as a Marketing Coordinator for the Bourbon Brand Team, where she mainly works on Larceny Bourbon, as well as some other Specialty Whiskeys and visitor center projects, helping to manage social media, maintain outside partnerships, create promotional materials and focus on jumpstarting the brands via e-commerce.

During a typical day, Allison works closely with our digital agency to review copy and assets for social media. She also works with Heaven Hill’s internal creative services team to create in-store sales materials, including items like shelf talkers, case cards and sell sheets. “We want to make sure our social media and in-store materials match the tone of the brand,” said Allison.

She also attends daily meetings and helps to maintain outside partnerships to make sure everything is going smoothly behind the scenes. To support merchandise webstores, Allison works closely with outside vendors like webstore developers, credit card processors and tax companies to keep these critical projects moving according on schedule and consult on creative elements like photography and design.

“As an intern, there was never a task too large or small for Allison,” said Kristen Willinger, Brand Manager. “She was a team player who consistently had a can-do attitude. If she didn’t know how to complete a task, she exhausted all resources available to attempt to find a solution first, prior to asking for help.”

Kristen said Allison also attentively listened in various meetings, took notes and asked the right questions if there was something she didn’t understand.

“As a new Marketing Coordinator, I know I can count on her to complete tasks on time, maintain relationships with vendors and our digital agency and create point of sale that embodies the tone of each brand,” she continued. “I very much look forward to continuing to see her grow in her career at Heaven Hill.”

Allison graduated from University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 2020.

“The spirits industry is booming, with no end in sight,” said Allison. “This is a fun industry that allows you to be creative in ways you may not get to be in other kinds of work.”