Harry Drnec joins Red Bull as md

Drinks marketer Harry Drnec, a former boss of Anheuser Busch in Europe, is to become managing director of the Red Bull company which produces the energy drink of the same name.

Drnec, who left Anheuser Busch in 1989, will continue as chairman of Thorn Lodge, the company he set up after quitting as chief executive of drinks distributor Maison Caurette last autumn.

Maison Caurette was merged with national wine company Michael Druit Agencies last September.

Drnec, who is best known for masterminding the launch of Eighties’ designer lager Sol, as well as the introduction of Snapple into the UK, will be replacing Gerard Fiennes at Red Bull. He left the company in November.

Since then, the role has been jointly filled by former marketing director Michael Sirjani, who has returned to the US, and Rod Crisp who is sales director.

Jan Carruthers, the present commercial manager, is likely to take on the role of marketing director, while there is also likely to be an additional role created on the trade marketing side.

Thorn Lodge will continue with its distribution of the Mrs Pucker’s brand of alcoholic fruit drinks, as well as TJ alco-cola.

Red Bull is planning to spend a further 5m on a new ad campaign through agency Knight Leach Delaney. Drnec says the push will break in about six weeks.

The company claims to have sold 5 million units of Red Bull since its launch last June.

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