Our Team

We are a nimble marketing agency with a team of seasoned PR, Advertising, Design and Web Design pros that provide a combination of integrated marketing services to help you connect with your target market and achieve business results.

Matt McGinnis

President & Founder
Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine,
Certified Specialist of Spirits, and WSET Advanced

Armed with 25+ years of global marketing experience in both corporate and agency roles, Matt took the entrepreneurial leap in 2014 to follow his passion for the beverage industry by starting Big Thirst Marketing. Striking the balance between the strategic approach of the Fortune 500 marketing world with credible and passionate understanding of the beverage industry, he has a unique ability to navigate the specific nuances of the alcohol world.

Before starting Big Thirst Marketing, Matt achieved marketing results for world leading brands in the U.S. and Europe as an Executive Vice President & Managing Director for Cohn & Wolfe and as Marketing Director for Dell.

The Big Thirst Marketing Team

Suzanne McGinnis

Creative Director

Rich Plakas

Web Designer & Digital Advertising

Anthony Gorrity

Graphic Designer

Kristin Rice

Marketing Manager

Jennifer Swanson

Public Relations Manager

Joleen Jernigan

Social Media Manager

Advisory Board

We are known for our expertise in the beverage alcohol industry. Our Advisors bring further competence allowing us to offer a complete business services package for distilleries including mix of for regulatory, distribution, pricing, sales and marketing.

Joseph Castillo

Vice president of sales at Kimo Sabe Mezcal

Joseph brings extensive sales, distribution and pricing experience to Big Thirst Marketing. During his 16 year career in the spirits industry he has launched Angels Envy Texas, and has led sales for Fireball, Buffalo Trace, Treaty Oak Distilling, and Kimo Sabe Mezcal National. He is adept at determining annual unit and gross-profit plans by implementing marketing strategies; analyzing trends and results, as well as achieving sales objectives. Joe has a strong track record of bringing brands to market with a strategic and successful launch to ensure positive and repetitive growth.

Mark Shilling

Managing Principal of Shilling/Crafted

Mark is a long-time collaborator with Big Thirst Marketing in providing a full mix of operations, regulatory compliance, and product development for craft distilleries. In 2013, Mark founded of Revolution Spirits and has become a well-known and tireless advocate for the industry. He helped establish the Texas Distilled Spirits Association and has served as president of the American Craft Spirits Association.