BAT reshuffles marketing team
British American Tobacco (BAT) has appointed Beth Broughton to lead its UK marketing team in the role of head of brands as part of a wider management reshuffle.
The appointment of Broughton, who is brand manager at BAT, is understood to mean that the position of UK marketing director has been axed. She will report directly to managing director Juergen Pick, who was appointed to the position at the beginning of the year (MW January 29).
Pick’s arrival coincided with the shift of UK marketing director Ralph Wittenberg to a managerial position in South Africa after less than a year in the job. Jimmi Rembiszewski remains head of BAT’s marketing globally.
Broughton will take over from Domenico Ventura, who has been moved to head of new business development and will be responsible for brand marketing. A company spokesman refuses to confirm that the UK marketing director position will be axed. Broughton will take on marketing duties at a crucial time for BAT, which has seen many of its older brands lose market share.
The future of BAT’s 555 cigarettes is also in doubt in the UK, following several major supermarket chains’ decision to delist the brand only two years after it was launched (MW February 12).
Broughton’s appointment coincides with reports of an agency review at BAT, which has 141 and Grey London on its roster. One industry source says that the company is considering its agency roster at the moment.
