HARD POUR COLLECTive:
INDEPENDENT CREATIVES THAT GIVE A SHIT
we’ve worked with a lot of partners over our time in the industry. when you find great people that deliver fantastic work, you want to stick with them. this is collection of independently owned agency and freelance partners that can do wonderful things for your brand.
hard pour can create and manage a bespoke working team tailored to the specific needs of your budget and project. when there’s existing relationships between a team, more time can be spent on your project instead of figuring out how to work together. this means we can deliver more for your budget as a multi-disciplinary team.
equally, please feel free to reach out to these guys for specific service needs and they’ll be happy to help you.
HARD POUR & PALS
FOUNDER / DIRECTOR
JOSH MCCARTNEY
josh’s agency background with major drinks houses means he knows how to speak "big brand" when necessary, translating ambitious brand visions into tangible and actionable strategy (and making sure they resonate with industry stakeholders!).
a background in hospitality management from techno nightclubs to high-end cocktail bars kickstarted a love of the drinks world! josh’s experience covers a vast cross-section of the industry; from managing twenty five markets in global trade marketing roles for challenger whisky brands, marketing manager for a leading uk trade wholesaler and five years (and counting) creative agency experience working on strategy and activation projects with global brand teams.
after years brand-side dealing with distributors who didn’t care, wholesalers who refused to answer emails and sales teams charging hideously large retainers, he now helps brands to find real solutions to challenges.
he started hard pour at the end of 2025 to work with rebellious brands that actually challenge their category! each brand faces unique challenges and josh can work with you on a strategy to overcome these, bringing in the right team members to support your brand on a project-by-project basis or as a fractional member of your brand team.
PR IN MOTION
ALEX HOLBROOK
one of the most effective pr consultants in the industry! alex is a force of pr nature and is extremely well connected in the drinks media world. her work is based on strategy and she won’t waste a second of your time on projects that don’t serve your brand.
BRAND DESIGN
DAN BRAMFITT
a deep understanding of brand marketing and brand creation, combined with a passion for using design as a tool for resistance and social change. i challenge you to find someone who will get more under the skin of your brand.
CREATIVE AGENCY
THE DRINK CABINET
tdc are drinks familia and you’d struggle to find a better team to trust your brand with for large scale activations, trade shows, bespoke builds and show-stopping studio photography. they’re a full 360 creative agency and are a powerful ally when your brand is ready to make a name for itself.
PHOTOHRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
NATHAN GARLAND
if your brand content needs an injection of some serious energy, nathan is your new best pal. his passion for what he does is infectious and this screams through in the quality of his work. he’s also an absolute dream to work alongside!
UK SALES
JENNY MARY ELLIOTT
a networking queen with a black book bigger than the yellow pages. if you need boots on the ground, jenny has sales teams across the uk, who she manages with strategic purpose.
DIGITAL MARKETING
HEATHER MILLS
a powerhouse of digital marketing, heather can drive serious visibility, awareness and ultimately sales for your brand. if you’re looking to curate a strategic meta presence, build a d2c following through email marketing or grow sales on amazon, heather is your gal!
