Swedish Match looks for marketing chief

Swedish Match, the global tobacco and smoking accessories manufacturer is looking for a senior marketer, following a restructure instigated by managing director – and former marketing director – Simon Duggan.

The new role carries the title of category controller, and is understood to be the top marketing position in the company. The appointee’s responsibilities will include managing the marketing department and developing trade strategies, as well as taking a role in new product development. He or she will report to Duggan, who was promoted to the post of managing director earlier this year (MW February 28).

Swedish Match’s brands include Cricket lighters, Swan and Bryant & May and it claims to be the world’s largest cigar manufacturer. This week, it launched a range of limited-edition electronic Cricket lighters to support its sponsorship of the Stockholm Ferrari team, which is taking part in the annual Ferrari 369 Challenge next month.

The group’s worldwide turnover exceeds &£1bn and its products sell in 140 countries. It has courted controversy by launching Vazatek, the first nicotine chewing gum to target smokers who are not trying to kick the habit.

Burkitt DDB handles the &£10m Vazatek advertising account, while Iris has responsibility for the group’s youth marketing programme, which includes sampling and distribution of Swan-branded postcards.