Beam Suntory’s Clarkson Hine highlights the value of writing for comms pros

As senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs, Clarkson Hine has established himself as an indispensable piece of the Beam Suntory puzzle. After the 2014 acquisition of spirits producer Beam Inc. by Japanese whiskey maker Suntory, Hine was responsible for introducing the American audience to the Japanese brewing and distilling titan. He did this by finding commonalities within the brands and highlighting aspects of each brand that meshed well together, creating a cohesive image for Beam Suntory.

“We really started from a basis of what we had in common,” Hine offered in an interview with our DePaul University graduate class, “and that included both [organizations] being multi-generational family businesses, innovative leaders, [and] entrepreneurial cultures with complementary portfolios.”

Advice for rising professionals

So, what does Hine look for in rising communications professionals? How can rising pros successfully navigate the corporate world?

Hine has a few main points for younger professionals looking to “manage up” and find their place:

Beyond that, Hine also shares what he looks for when hiring young communications professionals:

Clarkson Hine