Pepsi appoints new UK marketing director

PepsiCo has promoted Amanda Thomson to the position of UK marketing director from her role as marketing director for Australia and New Zealand.

Thomson replaces Bruno Gruwez, who had been in the role since 2006 and has been promoted to the newly created position of business development director at Pepsi-Lipton International.

During her time in Australia, she was responsible for activating Pepsi Max on the “Max It” platform as well as developing the local “Athlete’s Choice” campaign for Gatorade.

Garrett Quigley, general manager of Pepsi UK, says: “Amanda joins us with a highly impressive track record and is perfect for this role. Her appointment comes as we finish the year with a strong performance and an exciting and innovative calendar of marketing activity to activate in 2010 and beyond.”

Reporting to Quigley, Thomson will be responsible for developing and delivering the marketing strategy for Pepsi’s entire portfolio of beverages including Pepsi Max and Gatorade.

She says: “I look forward to building on last year’s success, continuing to create dynamic brand experiences for consumers that bring our brands to life.”

Sports drink Gatorade recently launched a rewards scheme promotion, a week after it dropped its Gatorade Tiger Focus drink and other products, associated with shamed golfer Tiger Woods.

Its UK distributor, Britvic Soft Drinks, reported revenue increased 5.6% for the year to 27 September in its preliminary results statement and its rivals Coca-Cola said it would be targeting the emerging middle classes, ageing customers and younger, more environmentally-conscious consumers in a bid to double its revenue by 2020.

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