Coca-Cola seeks UK chiefto lead Olympic campaign

Coca-cola%2C%20Wayne%20RooneyCoca-Cola Great Britain is on the hunt for a new sponsorship chief to lead the company’s strategy around the London 2012 Olympics.

It is seeking a replacement for Brendan Williams, who took over the role of head of marketing assets, sponsorship, last July after moving from Coke’s Australian operation. It is not known where he has moved to.

The role covers Coca-Cola’s association with the British Olympic Association, Football League, UEFA Euro 2008, FIFA World Cup, RFU and its partnership with Wayne Rooney. But the developing and implementing of its 2012 strategy will be a key part of the job.

The company says the role is also responsible for leading the company’s thinking on marketing assets and developing asset strategies that are grounded in brand planning and aligned with key stakeholders.

Coca-Cola says its strategy will see it continue to focus on its association with football through the major tournaments, the Football League and player relationships.

Meanwhile, this month Coca-Cola has launched its campaign in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics, counting down 100 days to the event. As a sponsor of the games and the torch relay, it kicked off marketing activity in Sanya city, Hainan province, with a major event.

It is the first significant activity from Coke’s marketing unit, Red Lounge, since it launched last year’s One Year Out countdown campaign in Beijing.