​Demonstrating what it means to be a Heaven Hill ambassador

​In early December Heaven Hill Brands hosted its annual National Sales Meeting. During this time, sales team members from across the country gathered in Louisville, Kentucky to learn about upcoming brand campaigns, growth of the company, and have the chance to meet one another in person. This year’s NSM was music festival themed complete with a full concert stage, flower crowns, a merch tent and more. To complement the theme, local band Tony & The Tan Lines performed each morning. Additionally, there was a special performance by an employee band called the Heaven Hill Band and a solo performance by Shawn Hughes, Heaven Hill Continuous Improvement Manager. The Heaven Hill Band consisted of employees from across the organization including Mike Sporich (Off Premise National Accounts Division Manager), Bernie Lubbers (National Whiskey Ambassador), Travis Zinkel (Regional Manager AK, HI, WA), Kyle Jackson (On Premise Area Manager, Central Texas), Brent Johnston (Regional Manager TX), Julie Cole (Brand Manager, Evan Williams), Lynn House (National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist), and John Smart (South Central Division Manager).

Shawn Hughes, who is known for his songwriting and previously completed a similar project for the safety department and Louisville Corporate Games​, was approached to write a song about the company for the Heaven Hill Band to perform at NSM. The song was meant to be a rewrite of the hit Tracy Chapman song “Give Me One Reason” and include lyrics about company history and corporate values. However, while brainstorming lyric ideas Shawn was inspired to write a separate song about being an ambassador for Heaven Hill and what an honor it is to represent this company. That song titled “Ambassadors” was later performed during the 2019 NSM.

“I knew the theme for NSM was centered around music, so I wanted to mesh a couple of genres together. I really had no idea what the song was supposed to be about, but I couldn’t stop thinking about this unbelievable opportunity that I had been given. I decided I would just write a stanza and see if I could do something with it.”

Shawn began writing and focused on a topic he knew he and his fellow employees were passionate about – being an ambassador for Heaven Hill.

“On several occasions Max has reminded us that we are ambassadors for the company,” Shawn said. “I must admit, for a long time I had a poor view of what being an ambassador meant. My stance was something along the lines of, ‘If they want me to be an ambassador, the least they can do is give me a shirt.’ Basically, I reduced being an ambassador to getting something from the company. However, my view shifted when I began thinking about what it really means to be an ambassador for Heaven Hill. I realized that being an ambassador is so much more than a branded shirt; it’s my words about and my attitude toward the company, and I wanted to be a good ambassador!”

Shawn began writing, developing the title and first few lyrics along with several guitar chords that matched the tone of the lyrics. It took him about an hour to finish the entire song.

“Once I finished it, I realized how much the song meant to me because my Heaven Hill family means so much to me. Life hasn’t gone the way I thought it should go, but Heaven Hill has truly been a family to me, even in my darkest days. This song became my way of saying thanks to Heaven Hill for being my family.”

Shawn was extremely proud of what he had produced and decided to share “Ambassadors” along with the rewrite of “Give Me One Reason.” He was then asked to perform the song at NSM as the opening act for the Heaven Hill Band performance.

“It was such an honor to be asked to play my song!” he said. “That was, by far, the largest audience I have ever played for. The whole experience was just so overwhelming and exciting. I am so thankful to be an ambassador for Heaven Hill and proud to share that through Ambassadors.”

“Ambassadors” by Shawn Hughes

Verse 1:

This is the story of how Heaven Hill came to be

It started with five brothers in the Shapira family

These brothers had a vision and they had a dream

To produce and market bourbon and American whiskey

 

Pre-Chorus 1:

Over 700 people are now on the team

And Heaven Hill is rocking the distilled spirits scene

 

Chorus:

We are ambassadors

Now the time is yours

So come and join us

We are all a family

In this enduring company

We have a purpose

 

Verse 2:

Integrity is at the heart of everything

We strive to be nimble and to work as a team

We find ways to improve continuously

To focus on our customers to meet every need

 

Pre-Chorus 2:

We commit to excellence passionately

Whenever you are near us, this is what you’ll see

 

Chorus:

We are ambassadors

Now the time is yours

So come and join us

We are all a family

In this enduring company

We have a purpose

 

Bridge:

We are ambassadors

No one can laugh at us

The best in the craft? You know that it’s us

We’re selling the brands that you know that you love

We’re selling the brands that you know that you trust

 

We are not lazy

We’re selling like crazy

The top of the line are the products we bring

This isn’t a fad and it isn’t a fling

If our products had fingers you’d buy them a ring

Now and forever to have and to hold

Our products are best so consider them sold

 

Chorus:

We are ambassadors

Now the time is yours

So come and join us

We are all a family

In this enduring company

We have a purpose

 

Chorus:

We are ambassadors

Now the time is yours

So come and join us

We are all a family

In this enduring company

We have a purpose

We are proud to have Shawn as part of the Heaven Hill family as well as everyone who joined the Heaven Hill Band and all of our other loyal employees. Thank you all for being ambassadors for our company and striving every day to represent our core values. ​