Whirlpool man nets Guinness job
Guinness plc has appointed Ivan Menezes, former vice-president of marketing for electronics giant Whirlpool Europe, to the role of business development director.
Menezes, who joins the global brewing and distilling company this week, will report to Guinness plc chairman Tony Greener and be based at Guinness’ London headquarters in Portman Square.
A company spokesman says: “He will be the director of group strategy for Guinness, working closely with the business development teams at both United Distillers and Guinness Brewing Worldwide.”
Menezes, who worked for management consultant Booz Allen Hamilton in Chicago before joining Whirlpool Europe’s headquarters in Comerio, Italy, will have a wide-ranging remit in his new global position.
“He will be looking at matters such as new product development and also acquisitions,” says a source.
Menezes was formerly responsible for the Whirlpool, Bauknecht and Ignis white goods brands, implementing a pan-European approach and centralising brand positioning and product development across several markets.
He oversaw various cost-cutting advertising and media consolidations, including that of Whirlpool Europe’s media buying and planning in 1995 for both the Whirlpool and Bauknecht brands. The Bauknecht account, previously with Lintas-owned Initiative, was moved into Optimedia (part-owned by Publicis), which already handled the Whirlpool brand.
