Allied Domecq loses third senior marketing figure

Allied Domecq has lost another senior marketing figure following the departure of vice-president of global sponsorship Steven Sparrow. He is the third senior marketing executive to quit in recent months,

Sparrow reported to Simon Stewart, senior vice-president of marketing. Stewart took over responsibility for the division after the suspension and resignation of chief marketing officer Kim Manley last December.

It is thought that Sparrow has left his position without a job to go to and his role has yet to be filled.

His departure comes soon after that of UK marketing chief Cathryn Sleight, who resigned in January for “personal reasons”. Sleight also left the drinks giant without a job to go, although the company has stressed that her departure was not connected to Manley’s (MW January 6, 2005).

Manley, who reported to chief executive Philip Bowman, was suspended late last year and resigned without compensation in December after an investigation into his “personal conduct” and “relationship with suppliers” (MW December 9, 2004).

Publicis handles advertising for Allied Domecq, whose brands include Malibu, Tia Maria and Perrier Jouët. The media planning and buying business is held by Zenith Optimedia.