Glenmorangie recruits marketing director

Scotch whisky maker Glenmorangie has hired Paul Neep as marketing director from Granada after a ten-month search.

Neep, who is marketing director of the Forte hotel division of the Granada Group and planning director for corporate strategy, will fill the post made vacant when Alex Nicol left last spring to join Scottish Courage’s international division (MW March 29 1996).

While at Forte, Neep concentrated on the Posthouse, Heritage and Meridien brands as part of the group’s post-acquisition policy of concentrating on fewer brands.

He was previously a senior brands director at United Distillers, and has also worked at Sterling Drug and Bowater Scott Corporation. He joins Glenmorangie on February 10 and will sit on the board.

He will take responsibility for marketing the premium malt scotch whisky Glenmorangie, which is advertised through Alliance The Bridge, and blended whiskies including Highland Queen, Martin’s and Muirhead’s, and the brand Crabbie’s Green Ginger Wine.

Chairman Geoffrey Maddrell says: “We have taken time to secure someone of Paul’s calibre, who has the depth of experience and determination to make a significant contribution.”

This Christmas Glenmorangie spent 600,000 on advertising, including TV ads.