David Vawter

How do you grow an obscure brand from Kentucky into a global icon?

You start a conversation.

Forty-five years ago, bourbon was a far cry from the ultra-hip, old-school classic that it is today. It was in a category that was synonymous with fussy old granddads: tired, antiquated, and tragically uncool. Luckily for Maker’s Mark, their bourbon tasted better than any of the others—and that was just enough for Doe-Anderson to build an iconic brand and establish a new premium category for bourbon.

Through the years, Doe-Anderson cultivated an organic, two-way conversation between Maker’s Mark and bourbon drinkers that evolved the whisky into an indelible name in the spirits industry. Join Doe-Anderson’s Executive Vice President + Chief Creative Officer, David Vawter as he details the 45-year relationship between Doe-Anderson and Maker’s Mark.