Budweiser marketing chief leaves

Anheuser-Busch Europe has promoted Kerry Bebe to the position of European marketing director for Budweiser, following James Lousada’s departure.

Lousada has left the company after a management restructure. It is not known if he has a job to go to. A spokeswoman would not comment on the reasons for his departure.

Bebe, who was previously marketing manager on the flagship Budweiser lager brand, will now oversee marketing for Bud Light, Bud Ice and Michelob as well.

Bebe joined Anheuser-Busch in 1995 as Budweiser brand manager. In 1998 she became marketing manager for the Bud Light, Bud Ice and Michelob brands, before her promotion to marketing manager of Budweiser earlier this year.

Bebe, who was previously a brand manager for Dairylea at Kraft Jacobs Suchard and has worked on Bell’s Whisky at United Distillers, will report to European vice-president and managing director Andrew Day.

Richard Robertson, who has been at the company for seven years, becomes sales director for Anheuser-Busch UK as part of the management restructuring. He was previously regional director of developing markets.

The company is looking for a second ad agency to work alongside BMP DDB on its &£15m UK Budweiser account.

Budweiser has just launched a UK-specific website, created by Circle.com, to back its new “Whassup” ad campaign, through DDB Worldwide (MW September 14).

The brand is also launching a men’s clothing range, called The Genuine Article (MW August 24).