Allied Domecq chiefs quit after global marketing rejig

Allied Domecq, owner of spirits brands including Ballantine’s and Beefeater, is restructuring its global marketing team, resulting in the departure of media chief Patrick Burton and head of product development Ben Sear.

The rejig follows the appointment of Kim Manley as chief marketer, in place of Todd Martin, who became Allied’s North American president last year (MW September 21). Manley joined Allied from Diageo-owned UDV, where he was president and global brand director for Smirnoff.

It is understood that there was no place for Burton, vice-president for integrated brand communications, who had spent 17 years with Allied. Sear, vice-president for global brand development, has also left the company in the past few weeks and is understood to be out of work. Both reported directly to Manley. Phil Taylor, insight and analytical director, has also left the company.

It is not clear how the new structure will affect Mark Doorbar, senior vice-president of global marketing, who also reports to Manley.

In the past couple of months Manley has brought in two new senior marketers – Simon Stewart, as senior vice-president for core brands, and Simon Hunt, who is responsible for acquisitions and mergers.

Stewart confirms that there is a continuing restructuring process, but refuses to comment further.

Burton has set up his own company, Emc2 Management, which offers advice, training and Web-based marketing communications.