Coke recruits Pepsi ad man for Euro role

Coca-Cola has appointed a former advertising agency account director on Pepsi Cola to oversee its 300m ad budget across Europe.

Martin Quinn, of top Australian agency Clemenger Sydney, is to become European advertising director at the world’s leading soft drinks company.

Clemenger, part of the worldwide BBDO network, has handled advertising for arch rival brand Pepsi for the past 15 years. Quinn left as director of the account.

He replaces Neil Simpson, who quit in July to join Adidas in the new role of global advertising director (MW July 31).

Based at Coke’s headquarters in Atlanta, Quinn will control the ad budget for the Coke, Fanta and Sprite brands across all European markets.

He joins the company at the beginning of next month.

He will report to Ian Rowden, vice-president and director of advertising, while Coke’s ad managers throughout Europe will report directly to Quinn.

Quinn will also oversee Coke’s relationship with its numerous roster agencies, which include Leagas Delaney, Wieden & Kennedy, Publicis and Mother.

Susan McDermott, Coke’s global spokeswoman, says that she is not aware of any plans to review the accounts.

Last year, Coke’s vice-president and director of advertising David Wheldon – whom Rowden replaced – left to join BBDO Europe, where he is now president.

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