Glenfiddich and Russian Standard distributor First Drinks has promoted Una McCullough to marketing director.
McCullough arrived at First Drinks in June as interim marketing director, but the role was given to her on a permanent basis this week. She will oversee the marketing activities for First Drinks' 29-strong portfolio of spirit and Champagne brands, and will report to managing director Chris Mason (see Big Interview p34).
Her appointment follows a successful year for the company, a subsidiary of family-owned distillery William Grant & Sons. It has recorded 41% sales growth to £243m over the past year [Nielsen 52w/e 10 July 2010].
Among her responsibilities will be the management of a £10m marketing spend for Russian Standard vodka this winter, and the Glenfiddich 'Explorers' campaign, which will benefit from an ad spend of more than £1m this Christmas.
Prior to joining First Drinks, McCullough was responsible for regional marketing at Andrex owner Kimberly-Clark. During her 20 years in the fmcg industry, she has also held senior marketing roles at Imperial Tobacco and rival spirits business Diageo.
"I have joined First Drinks at an exciting time for the business," she said. "We are in great shape and have a fantastic portfolio of iconic brands. I'm looking forward to working with an exceptional team that has a real passion for building these brands."
McCullough replaces Katie Rawll, who was promoted to global brand director for Glenfiddich. Meanwhile, First Drinks is set to move its head office from Southampton docks to a bigger, more hi-tech head office in Hook, Hampshire, next month.
Mason said the new office had more modern facilities than the old site, including a video conferencing suite. Other benefits were closer proximity to William Grant's HQ in Richmond and also Heathrow airport, which was "very handy considering the number of global brands within the portfolio", he added.
McCullough arrived at First Drinks in June as interim marketing director, but the role was given to her on a permanent basis this week. She will oversee the marketing activities for First Drinks' 29-strong portfolio of spirit and Champagne brands, and will report to managing director Chris Mason (see Big Interview p34).
Her appointment follows a successful year for the company, a subsidiary of family-owned distillery William Grant & Sons. It has recorded 41% sales growth to £243m over the past year [Nielsen 52w/e 10 July 2010].
Among her responsibilities will be the management of a £10m marketing spend for Russian Standard vodka this winter, and the Glenfiddich 'Explorers' campaign, which will benefit from an ad spend of more than £1m this Christmas.
Prior to joining First Drinks, McCullough was responsible for regional marketing at Andrex owner Kimberly-Clark. During her 20 years in the fmcg industry, she has also held senior marketing roles at Imperial Tobacco and rival spirits business Diageo.
"I have joined First Drinks at an exciting time for the business," she said. "We are in great shape and have a fantastic portfolio of iconic brands. I'm looking forward to working with an exceptional team that has a real passion for building these brands."
McCullough replaces Katie Rawll, who was promoted to global brand director for Glenfiddich. Meanwhile, First Drinks is set to move its head office from Southampton docks to a bigger, more hi-tech head office in Hook, Hampshire, next month.
Mason said the new office had more modern facilities than the old site, including a video conferencing suite. Other benefits were closer proximity to William Grant's HQ in Richmond and also Heathrow airport, which was "very handy considering the number of global brands within the portfolio", he added.
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