Caesars Entertainment, the iconic Las Vegas, Nevada gaming company, announced that it has signed the former president of the Diageo Beer Company, Rodney Williams, to its Board of Directors.
Bolstering the Brand
Caesars officially welcomed Rodney Williams as the 11th person on its Board of Directors on July 1st. Williams brings a wealth of experience in bolstering a brand’s profile, particularly in the luxury categories while also lending his expertise in the company’s digital marketing campaigns. Williams is expected to be a welcome addition to an already impressive leadership team and will deliver a fresh perspective to one of the gaming community’s pioneers.
The company announced Williams’ arrival in a press release, which said: “With a unique perspective derived from a track record of luxury brand-building, strategic and digital marketing, and corporate leadership, Williams will bring a distinct and innovative vision to the Caesars Entertainment Board of Directors.”
“I’m pleased to have Rodney Williams join our Board of Directors,” commented Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg. “Rodney brings a different perspective to hospitality, having experienced it from the upper echelon of luxury beverage brands.
“His experience in innovation, digital and experiential marketing, and implementing optimization makes him a good strategic fit for our Board of Directors. I look forward to working with him to continue to drive results for our guests, Team Members, and shareholders,” Reeg added.
Record of Success
Williams’ most recent stint was as President of the Diageo Beer Company and President of Diageo Canada. Under his watch, Guinness beer became “the fastest-growing on-premise brand in the United States in 2023,” while Guinness 0 soared to the top of the charts as Canada’s most popular selling non-alcoholic beer.
Prior to his two-year tenure with Diageo, he spent 11 years with Moet Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. It was there that Williams became the company’s first American to be named Maison (global) President of Belvedere Vodka.
Below is a snapshot of Williams’ numerous accomplishments:
- Trustee of the James Beard Foundation and serves on the Executive Leadership Council.
- Director of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.
- Juror for the 2024 Cannes Lions marketing awards.
- Williams was recently named to the 2024 “Most Influential Black Corporate Leaders” list by Savoy magazine.
- Bachelor’s degree in political science from Amherst College.
- MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Kellogg School, Northwestern University.
Gary Carano, executive chairman of the Caesars Entertainment Board, also lauded Williams’ experience, saying, “Rodney is an important addition to the Caesars Entertainment leadership team. Rodney’s career leading some of the world’s best-known beverage brands gives him unmatched perspective in the hospitality industry.”
“His exceptional track record in luxury and premium brand building during his time with Diageo and LVMH and his continued commitment to the food and beverage industry through his service as a trustee and executive committee member of the James Beard Foundation will give us added insights into the continuing confluence of entertainment with the culinary arts as we shepherd Caesars Entertainment into the future,” added Carano.
