Twinings hunts marketing director

Associated British Foods (ABF) is seeking a marketing director for its hot beverages portfolio. It follows the extension of UK and US general manager Paul Murphy’s role to include Australia.

The company is looking for someone to oversee the Twinings portfolio, including its four sub-brands – Green Tea, Specialty teas, Infusions and Iced Tea as well as Ovaltine and Options. The successful candidate will also be responsible for new product development and building brand awareness.

The decision to create a centralised marketing role follows plans to increase significantly the brand’s marketing spend, which was &£450,000 in 2003. Earlier this year, Twinings appointed Leagas Delaney to handle its creative accounts (MW February 12). It will not affect the roles of Twinings marketing manager Elizabeth Edwards, and Ovaltine and Options marketing manager Paul Simpson.

Twinings has been developing new products over the past year, including Premium Reserve, a limited-edition loose leaf tea to increase its share of the speciality teas range. It has also added fruit variants to its Green Tea range.

ABF is understood to be keen to raise awareness of and develop its hot beverage brands, which also includes Ovaltine and Options. The acquisition of the two brands from Novartis two years ago led to a restructure of ABF’s hot beverage division.