Coke GB promotes two heads of brand

Coca-Cola Great Britain has promoted two key brand directors, Paul Woodward and Bobby Brittain. The pair will move to senior roles at international divisions of the company.

Woodward, brand director for adult and performance beverages, has been promoted to general manager of Coca-Cola Sweden. He has been with Coke GB for two and half years and was responsible for the launch of Relentless Energy. He also oversaw the Schweppes, Powerade and Oasis brands.

Relentless is Coke’s most successful foray into the energy drinks market over the past four years. Insiders have attributed its success to the lack of Coca-Cola branding on the packaging, particularly after it axed Sprite 3G, which was launched first but failed to make an impact with consumers (MW August 1, 2007).

Meanwhile, Brittain, currently brand director for enjoyable daily refreshment, is moving to the role of vice-president for sparkling beverages at Coca-Cola Canada. He has been at Coke GB for four and half years and has been responsible for the flagship Coca-Cola and Diet Coke brands, as well as the extension of Fanta into new categories and Dr Pepper.

The flagship Coke brand has seen resurgence over the past year. According to AC Nielsen data, to July last year the category saw a sales uplift with Coke growing by 5.2% in values terms.

Catherine Sleight, marketing director at Coke GB, says: “I have worked with both of them for a number of years and this is just reward for the growth the business has enjoyed under their stewardship.”

She adds that their replacements will be announced in “due course”.