Allied Domecq poaches Danone marketer
Allied Domecq Spirits USA has poached a new marketing chief from Danone International following internal restructuring at the drinks giant.
Paul Block will become senior vice-president and chief marketing officer from January 11. He will oversee brands such as Sauza Tequila, Kahlua, Canadian Club Whiskey and Beefeater Gin throughout the States.
Block was most recently Danone vice-president and business unit manager for domestic water and biscuits. He presided over the launch of Danone Natural Spring Water.
His appointment follows a restructure at Allied Domecq, masterminded by global marketing director Todd Martin last year. The company’s international brand groups were overhauled as part of an effort to focus resources on core brands. Two UK-based global vice-president positions were created for Ballantine’s Whisky and Beefeater Gin. While both positions have now been filled, an assortment of US posts remain vacant.
Block will be supported by three vice-presidents based in the US, which have yet to be announced.
Allied Domecq has awarded BBDO Chicago the $10m (6m) account for Beefeater in the US. It puts the BBDO network in line to pick up the remaining work in Europe, with Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO being a possible beneficiary. BBDO is in the process of completing a 346m takeover of the London agency.
Allied Domecq is centralising the global advertising of its four core brands – Beefeater, Kahlua, Ballantine’s Whisky and Sauza Tequila – into worldwide networks.
