Leadership reshuffle at The Story anticipates expansion
The food and beverage PR agency, The Story, recently made some substantial changes to their leadership structure. Firstly, the founder and former CEO, Lisa Thomas, takes a step back into a non-executive role, switching positions with Richard Brown, the previously COO, who is now the CEO.
This change is seen as the first step towards broader expansion and indicates their drive to lead the industry with advanced strategies. Additionally, an experienced team is being incorporated into the firm to support innovative initiatives and uphold The Story’s reputation in food and beverage public relations.
Also, The Story’s long-term staff member, Tarita Mullings and current Managing Director, Alex Smith, are set to share co-managing director duties. Their joint expertise will foster a collaborative environment intended to improve overall operational efficiency.
This business transformation followed the tragic death of The Story’s founder, Ailana Kamelmacher, in 2023. Even with her loss, the firm remained successful, securing a significant deal with beverage alcohol giant, Diageo.
New leadership guides The Story’s expansion
Kamelmacher’s commitment towards growth continues to guide and define the company’s way.
The agency managed to weather this transition, showing its strong business model and the commitment of its new leadership. They also hinted at maintaining the same principles in their future strategy and keeping a dedicated focus on delivering high-quality services.
In December, the agency appointed Philippe Starck as the new creative director for the Diageo-owned brand, Mortlach Whisky. This partnership led to a number of innovative projects, enhancing the brand’s global appeal.
Looking ahead, The Story will continue to oversee global mandates, including managing Diageo’s single malts catalogue and leading the communications strategy for Diageo’s well-known ‘World Class’ beverage competition. Co-managing directors, Smith and Mullings, have expressed their intention to continue Kamielmacher’s legacy, by focusing on storytelling for clients, including big names Tony’s Chocolonely, Sipsmith, and Diageo.
