Rodney Williams Joins Caesars Entertainment Board of Directors

Background and Achievements

Rodney Williams, who recently resigned as president of Diageo Beer and Diageo Canada, brings a wealth of experience to Caesars. At Diageo, he was instrumental in revitalizing the Guinness brand in the US and Canada, where it became the fastest-growing on-premise brand in the US last year.

His leadership also led to significant growth for Don Julio Tequila and Johnnie Walker Scotch in Canada, as well as a notable national partnership between Bailey’s liqueur and the Tim Horton’s chain.

Williams holds a degree from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and is the second addition to Caesars’ board in recent months, following the appointment of Kim Harris Jones in April.

Enhancing Appeal to High-End Customers

Williams’ addition to the board is timely, as Caesars aims to strengthen its appeal to affluent customers on the Las Vegas Strip. The company operates eight integrated resorts on the Strip, with properties ranging from high-end venues like Caesars Palace to others that cater to different market segments. Williams’ expertise in luxury brand management is expected to help Caesars gain further traction with high-spending visitors.

Before his tenure at Diageo, Williams spent 11 years at Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), where he managed prestigious brands such as Belvedere Vodka and played a key role in the “Never Stop. Never Settle.” campaign for Hennessy cognac. As Chief Marketing Officer for LVMH’s US brand portfolio, he oversaw brands including Dom Perignon, Krug Champagnes, and Glenmorangie Scotch. Under his leadership, the Hennessy business saw a fourfold increase in sales and operating profit over five years.

The addition of Williams to the board is expected to bolster Caesars’ strategic initiatives aimed at attracting high-end customers and enhancing the company’s brand appeal. His extensive background in marketing and brand management, particularly with luxury products, aligns with Caesars’ goals of maintaining and growing its market share in the competitive Las Vegas environment. This appointment reflects Caesars’ commitment to leveraging top-tier talent to drive its business forward.