Coca-Cola marketing boss takes on commercial role

Coca-Cola Great Britain & Ireland (CCGB) has appointed marketing director Charlotte Oades as commercial director, giving the role more of a marketing focus.

Oades, who joined Coca-Cola in 1986, replaces Paul Gordon, who becomes region manager for France. Her appointment means that a number of departments which reported to the marketing director have become the responsibility of the commercial director.

These include the brand building department, which encompasses programmes and events and sponsorship and promotions. In addition, Oades has new departments to manage, such as packaging and business intelligence and planning. She continues to report to Tom Long, division president for CCGB.

Julia Goldin, appointed consumer brands director in March, has been promoted to marketing director with responsibility for all brands, including the Schweppes portfolio. She also reports to Long.

Oades joined the CCGB team after serving as marketing director for the South Pacific region in May 2000 (MW May 18, 2000). Past roles at Coca-Cola have included global brand director for Sprite.

At the beginning of the year, Oades asked Mother to present some ideas on marketing for the core Coca-Cola brand. However, in May CCGB introduced the Berlin Cameron/Red Cell “Real Life” campaign, developed in the US and featuring Friends actress Courtney Cox Arquette and her actor husband David.