Ab InBev global CMO Burggraeve departs

AB InBev’s global chief marketing officer Chris Burggraeve has left the brewer and will be replaced by Asia Pacific boss Miguel Patricio.

AB InBev

It is not known whether Burggraeve has another job to go. A spokesman for the company told AdAge said he had left to pursue “entrepreneurial opportunities.”

He joined the Budweiser and Stella Artois brewer in 2007 after spending 12 years at Coca-Cola where he held several senior marketing roles, including European group marketing director.

Prior to Coke, he held a number of brand management positions at FMCG business Procter & Gamble.

Patricio is currently president of the brewer’s Asia Pacific business. He joined Brazilian brewer Ambev in 1998, prior to its merger with Interbrew in 2004 to form InBev. At Ambev he was vice-president of marketing before being promoted to oversee North American operations following the merger.

Burggraeve is the current president for the World Federation of Advertisers.

His departure comes as the company accelerates plans to spend more on marketing social media platforms and less on traditional channels such as television and radio in a bid to generate better ROI. The ‘Fans First’ initiative was developed by Burggraeve who cited it as key driver behind a 4.6% revenue increase in 2011.

Another key objective for the brewer is boosting the global appeal of its flagship Budweiser brand. The brewer intends to use the beer’s existing brand recognition to build its market share outside of the US by sponsoring events such as the FIFA World Cup and the FA Cup in the UK.

Read about the brewer’s marketing plans with Marketing Week’s profile with Chris Burggraeve here

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