Heinz picks marketer for Salad Cream

Heinz has appointed Victoria Gregory as the top marketer on Heinz Salad Cream and cold condiments following the departure of James Watson, who has left the company to go travelling.

Gregory, who will have the title of marketing manager, joins from Heinz Beans, where she was senior brand manager. She will be responsible for developing sales of the Salad Cream brand, which has undergone a massive rejuvenation since its relaunch four years ago.

Gregory has already been involved with the extension of the brand’s sponsorship of ITV1 soap Emmerdale. It has been expanded to include Tomato Ketchup for a further 12 months in a deal worth &£10m (MW last week).

Gregory has been with the company since 2002. She joined from brewer HP Bulmer, where she was a senior marketer on San Miguel and Strongbow.

Heinz has also appointed Ben Pearman as chief UK marketer on Heinz Beans, pasta and meals. He joins the food giant from rival Unilever Frozen Food & Ice Cream, where he was top European brand marketer for Magnum. He was responsible for the European launch of last year’s Seven Deadly Sins limited edition range and campaign.

Before joining Unilever, he held a variety of marketing roles at Nestlé and was involved in the launch of the Kit Kat Chunky and the relaunch of Nestlé Gold Blend.