Friskies director takes European post following merger

Phil Humphreys, commercial director of Nestlé-owned Friskies Petcare, has been appointed to a senior European post following Friskies’ merger with pet food rival Ralston Purina Northern Europe.

Humphreys is now regional marketing director for northern Europe, Nestlé Purina Pet Care. As well as overseeing marketing across the region, a spokeswoman says he will “retain some sales and marketing responsibility for the UK grocery market”.

Humphreys will report to Paul Butler – who was managing director of Friskies and is now regional director for northern Europe – and former Ralston managing director Paul Grimwood, who retains his position in the merged company.

The spokeswoman says it is too early to say what role Ralston marketing director Rebecca Barnett will have in the new company.

It is not clear how the companies’ agency arrangements will be affected. Friskies uses BMP DDB for its brands, which include Felix, Friskies and Winalot. Ralston, whose brands include Purina Pro Plan and Bakers, uses Burkitt DDB. Industry insiders say that both agencies will remain on the roster as the company wants separate agencies to handle its cat and dog food brands.