Coke appoints Bobby Brittain to top GB marketing role

Coca-Cola has appointed Bobby Brittain, currently general manager of its Italian division, to the drinks company’s top UK marketing role.

Coke bottles
Coca-Cola Great Britain appoints Bobby Brittain to marketing strategy and activation director role.

Brittain will become Coca-Cola Great Britain marketing strategy and activation director in June, responsible for the marketing of the 21 brands on sale in the region, reporting into Jon Woods, general manager of Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland.

He replaces Brid Drohan-Stewart, who became Coca-Cola Great Britain marketing activation director in October last year. Drohan-Stewart – formerly marketing manager for sparkling beverages within Coca-Cola’s Oceana division – is leaving after 15 years at the company to return to New Zealand, joining Cadbury-owner Mondelez.

Bobby Brittain
Bobby Brittain

Brittain’s appointment marks his return to Coca-Cola Great Britain, having joined the company 10 years ago as brand director. He then gained international experience as vice president of sparkling for Coca-Cola Canada and in his most recent role as Coca-Cola Italy general manager.

Earlier this week Coca-Cola switched the roles of two of its most senior marketing executives – Katie Bayne and Wendy Clark – in a move the company claimed would “accelerate the profitable growth of Coca-Cola through world class marketing” as it looks to put a difficult 2013 behind it. 

This week the company also lost one of its top North American marketers, Jonathan Mildenhall, who has joined room letting website Airbnb as its chief marketing officer. 

In February Coca-Cola unveiled a five-point marketing plan to reinvest $1bn in productivity savings back into innovation, media spend and point of sale enhancements as it looks to return to growth in 2014. 

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