S&N picks group marketing chief

Scottish & Newcastle has appointed Gary Guthrie to the new position of group marketing director as part of a wider management restructure.

The brewing company says Guthrie will co-ordinate marketing and product development across the more than 40 markets in which it operates, initially focusing on its best-selling Foster’s, Kronenbourg and Baltika brands. However, his appointment will not alter Scottish & Newcastle’s strategy of devolving advertising for its separate brands to the countries in which they are marketed.

Guthrie, who is based in Switzerland as Kodak general manager of marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, joins the company in March, and will report to chief executive Tony Froggatt. He previously held senior marketing positions at Colgate-Palmolive and Pepsi.

Scottish & Newcastle brews Courage, John Smith’s, Kronenbourg, McEwan’s, Newcastle and Theakston’s beers as well as producing brands such as Beck’s, Foster’s and Miller under licence.

Last May, Scottish & Newcastle purchased the Bulmers drink portfolio, including the rights to the premium Spanish lager brand San Miguel, which is reviewing its &£2m advertising account held by Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO. In October, Jon Eggleton, the former Bulmers group marketing director, was appointed to the top marketing role at United Biscuits UK (MW October 30, 2003).

Scottish & Newcastle has also appointed Rob Sidoli as group operations director and Simon Ricketts as group information services director.