Wrigley promotes chief marketer in restructure

The Wrigley Company has promoted marketing manager Toby Baker to chief marketer in a restructure of its marketing department. It is thought that marketing director Ian Bray has been promoted to an undisclosed international role.

It is understood that Baker, who has been with the company for at least four years, has already taken over the marketing directorship and will report to managing director for UK and Ireland Gharry Eccles.

Bray joined Wrigley from AAH Pharmaceuticals, where he was marketing director, in July 2003, following the promotion of Eccles to managing director. Eccles replaced Dariusz Kucz, who was promoted to regional vice-president for central Europe.

Bray had been with AAH for four years before joining the chewing gum giant. He was previously head of marketing at Müller Dairy and has also held various marketing positions at KP Foods and SmithKline Beecham.

During his tenure at Wrigley, he has been involved in the company’s strategy to diversify and become a confectionery company. It has launched into the mint market with Extra Mints (MW July 31, 2003) and is due to launch Extra Ice Mints next month. Bray was also involved in the company’s sponsorship of Channel 4 teen soap Hollyoaks.