PepsiCo drafts in Euro boss to lead Tropicana and Quaker

PepsiCo UK has appointed David Johnston as general manager of its Quaker and Tropicana businesses. He replaces Mary Barnard, who has been promoted to global vice-president of new beverage platforms.

Johnston will move from his position as PepsiCo’s vice-president of beverages marketing in Europe, where he is responsible for developing Pepsi’s marketing strategy. He will take over from Barnard from April 1.

Johnston says: “There have been some exciting new products launched already this year, and more planned in the months ahead. I look forward to taking this dynamic business from strength to strength.”

He began his career at Britvic, working on 7Up and Pepsi, later becoming marketing manager for research and development and new products. He has worked for PepsiCo since 1996 in a variety of roles in markets such as Central Europe and Latin America.

Barnard is relocating to New York to take on her new post, and will be responsible for the Gatorade and Tropicana brand strategies and business platforms around the world.

She joined PepsiCo in 1997 and, after spending eight years in sales, she moved into the general manager’s role overseeing Quaker and Tropicana in 2005.

Tropicana reported sales of £196m in the past year and has been extending into new categories, such as children’s drinks and smoothies (MW January 31). According to Mintel, it has a 21% volume share of the UK market.

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