SABMiller picks global brand chief to boost Pilsner Urquell presence

SABMiller has appointed Tim Dewey to the new role of international brands director, with a remit to increase awareness of its Pilsner Urquell brand.

Dewey fills a gap left following SABMiller’s decision to make the Pilsner Urquell international marketing director position held by Phil Plowman redundant, along with the position held by sales director Steve Wilkinson (MW May 29, 2003). Wilkinson subsequently becameUS-based vice president for the Asia region for Miller International.

Dewey started this week and will report to SABMiller group marketing director Mark Sherrington.

He left his role as international marketing director of William Grant & Sons last August, less than a month after calling a review of the ¨£2.5m advertising account for the Glenfiddich malt whisky brand (MW August 7, 2003).

The family-run business has yet to conclude the review or to replace Dewey, who was one of a spate of departures including managing director Patrick Albaladejo (MW November 13, 2003). Dewey joined William Grant & Sons in 2001, after a 12-year stint at Diageo where he was international marketing director for Smirnoff Vodka.

Dewey will co-ordinate the marketing of Pilsner Urquell, which was handed to the marketing teams in the Czech Republic, South Africa and the US.

Jean-Pierre Van Lin remains SABMiller sales and marketing director for the British Isles. Leagas Delaney is the advertising agency for Pilsner Urquell in the UK and has created campaigns to highlight the brand’s claim to be the world’s first golden beer.

Pilsner Urquell was bought by SABMiller for ¨£420m in 1999.