Budweiser loses marketing boss

Budweiser European marketing director Kerry Bebe has left the company after less than a year in the position.

David Dryden will take over as marketing director immediately. He steps into the post from an executive assistant role working on special projects alongside vice-president and managing director Andrew Day.

According to a spokeswoman, Bebe, who was promoted from Budweiser marketing manager, has left Anheuser-Busch Europe “to pursue other opportunities”. She had been with the company since 1995 and before to joining was brand manager for Dairy Lea at Kraft Jacobs Suchard.

Her sudden departure mirrors that of her predecessor James Lousada, who left in September last year after a management restructure.

Dryden has been with Anheuser-Busch International since 1992 and has held several marketing and operations positions in the UK and Asia. He served as country manager for the Philippines, where he managed the national launch of the brand.

Budweiser will unveil the latest character in its Real American Heroes TV and radio ad campaign on Monday (September 17). The “Mr really bad toupee wearer” ads replace the “Mr foot-long hot dog inventor”, which has run since August 9.

The real American Heroes campaign was originally developed as a US radio-only initiative. The UK executions are the first of the Heroes ads to be adapted for TV. The campaign was created by DDB Worldwide, Chicago. The media buying agency is OMD UK.