Hotaling & Co., San Francisco’s leading artisanal spirits distiller and importer, announced a newly-developed leadership role with the appointment of Liz Brusca to Vice President of Marketing, Owned Brands reporting to Chief Marketing Officer Brian Radics. Brusca’s return to Hotaling & Co. follows her impactful tenure from 2011 to 2021.
In her new role, Brusca will drive the growth and stewardship of key Hotaling-owned brands, including American Craft Brands such as Hirsch Whiskey, Old Potrero Rye, and Junipero Gin, as well as Latin & Caribbean Brands like Fiero Spicy Tequila, Severo Tequila, Convite Mezcal, and Denizen Rum.
Additionally, she will oversee the marketing efforts of Hotaling & Co.’s Corporate Brand. Brusca will work collaboratively and cross-functionally to develop and execute insights-led strategies, market-ready sales and marketing initiatives, business and financial analysis, and measurement and optimization of marketing activations.
A Track Record of Success
“Hotaling & Co. has experienced extensive growth throughout the past few years, and there’s an opportunity to build on this momentum through strategic investments in our owned brands,” says Hotaling & Co. CEO Dan Leese. “With Liz’s track record of success, we’re confident that she’ll drive forward our vision of being the world’s best artisanal spirits and cocktail company, capitalizing on the inherent potential within these brands.”
With more than two decades of experience in marketing and leadership roles in the spirits industry, Brusca brings substantial expertise to her new position. During her earlier tenure at Hotaling & Co., Brusca led the rebranding of Anchor Distilling Company to Hotaling & Co. following the company sale in 2018, establishing the business as a top-tier U.S. distiller and importer, and launched the Distillery’s first public tasting room. Additionally, she drove the repackaging and positioning of Junipero Gin, the original American craft gin, helping the brand to regain a competitive foothold in the U.S.
In 2021, she co-founded and served as President for Bevridge, a marketplace and innovative platform that allows consumers to discover and engage with spirit brands in a new way. Under her leadership, Bevridge was conceived and launched in seven months with tasting kits paired with curated on-demand video content available now through DTC e-commerce, Total Wine & More, and online retail partners like Reserve Bar and Spirits Network. Brusca brings knowledge and expertise in the digital space that will provide immense value to her current portfolio of brands at Hotaling & Co.
Brusca returns energized and equipped to lead a team of six in pursuit of Hotaling & Co.’s owned brand objectives. Through her growth-driven mindset and proficiency in both traditional and digital marketing tactics, Brusca will further strengthen the Hotaling & Co position as the leading distiller and importer of artisanal spirits in the U.S.
