Tullamore Dew is sending four graduates to be brand ambassadors for the whiskey in the US.
Mary-Jade Hynes from Limerick and Eimear Kelleher, Conor Neville and Katie O'Donoghue from Dublin were chosen from 1,300 post-graduate applicants to represent the brand. The roles are part of the IBEC/Bord Bia Export Orientation Programme, which combines an international business diploma with a placement.
The company said that the four were chosen for their blend of confidence, charisma and commercial focus. They will now promote the brand to an American audience for the next 18 months, from New York, Chicago, Texas and San Francisco. They will also educate the US about Irish whiskey and assist in rolling out marketing initiatives, such as the current 'Parting Glass' campaign.
Tullamore Dew's global brand director, Caspar MacRae, said that "the brand is going from strength to strength around the world.
"In the US alone, Tullamore Dew grew 22 per cent last year, and is the world's second-largest Irish whiskey, selling close to 11 million bottles per annum."
This is an exciting year for Tullamore Dew. A new €35-million distillery will open in Tullamore next month, bringing the production of Tullamore Dew back to Tullamore.