8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

September 27, 2017

Brown-Forman Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware	001-00123	61-0143150
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky	40210
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (502) 585-1100

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 28, 2017, Brown-Forman Corporation (the "Company") announced the promotion of Lawson Whiting to the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective October 1, 2017.  Mr. Whiting, 49, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Brands and Strategy Officer since February 2015. Prior to that time, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Brands Officer from 2013 to 2015, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Western Europe from 2011 to 2013, Vice President and Finance Director for Western Europe from 2010 to 2011, and Vice President and Finance Director for North America from 2009 to 2010.

Reporting to Mr. Whiting in his role as Chief Operating Officer are Jill Jones, Executive Vice President and President for North America, CCSA, IMEA, and Global Travel Retail; Alejandro “Alex” Alvarez, Senior Vice President and Chief Production Officer; and Thomas Hinrichs, Senior Vice President and President for Europe, North Asia, and ANZSEA.

In connection with his promotion, Mr. Whiting's compensation will increase, effective October 1, 2017, as follows: annual salary, including holiday bonus, will increase to $666,688; and short-term and long-term incentive compensation opportunities at target will increase to $455,000 and $900,000, respectively. Mr. Whiting's long-term incentive compensation opportunity will be allocated among long-term cash and Class A and Class B common performance-based equity.

Details regarding the Company's executive compensation program are included in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2017.

There are no related party transactions involving Mr. Whiting that are reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Whiting's promotion is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Brown-Forman Corporation Press Release dated September 28, 2017.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date: September 28, 2017	/s/ Michael E. Carr, Jr.
	Michael E. Carr, Jr.
	Vice President, Managing Attorney and Assistant Corporate Secretary

EX-99.1

	NEWS RELEASE
	PHIL LYNCH	JAY KOVAL
	VICE PRESIDENT	VICE PRESIDENT
	CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS	INVESTOR RELATIONS
	AND PUBLIC RELATIONS	AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
	502-774-7928	502-774-6903

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROWN-FORMAN NAMES LAWSON WHITING CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Louisville, KY, September 28, 2017 - Brown-Forman announced today the promotion of Lawson Whiting to the position of Chief Operating Officer effective October 1, overseeing the company’s regional operations, global production, and corporate responsibility functions, reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul Varga.

A 21 year veteran of Brown-Forman, Whiting previously held positions encompassing finance, investor relations, brand and regional leadership, strategy, acquisitions & divestitures, and corporate responsibility.  Whiting, 49, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Brands and Strategy Officer since February 2015. Prior to that time, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Brands Officer from 2013 to 2015, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Western Europe from 2011 to 2013, Vice President and Finance Director for Western Europe from 2010 to 2011, and Vice President and Finance Director for North America from 2009 to 2010.

“Through his various assignments and his service on our company’s executive leadership team, Lawson has worked across the globe and had exposure and made notable contributions to vital areas of our success, including portfolio strategy and management, annual planning & operating, capital deployment, and corporate responsibility,” stated Varga. “He has consistently produced positive results and outcomes for the company and he is very well-prepared to take on these significant new responsibilities.”

(more)

While not recently in use, the chief operating officer position is one that Brown-Forman has utilized at various times over the last 30 years, depending on the company’s organizational structure and needs.

For nearly 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach, GlenDronach and Slane. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by over 4,700 employees and sold in more than 165 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.

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