Cadbury Schweppes plc Americas Beverages

Food & Drink Weekly, Sept 29, 2003

Cadbury Schweppes plc's Americas Beverages group announced several management changes that help consolidate its structure in North America. These changes are part of the regional restructuring plans unveiled earlier this year and will go into effect in mid December this year. The changes include the appointment of Jack Belsito, currently president of Snapple and Mott's, to president of the Snapple Distributing Company, with the mandate to further leverage the distribution and selling expertise of Snapple's company-owned distribution system.

Jim Johnston, currently responsible for franchise and licensing throughout the region, is appointed senior vice president-strategy, and he will be responsible for strategic planning, knowledge management and franchising/licensing. Mike McGrath, currently president of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, will become president of sales for Americas Beverages. Based in Piano, he will be responsible for building a regional sales organization for the North American brand portfolio. Jim Trebilcock and Michael Sands will continue as the marketing heads for the Dr Pepper/Seven Up and Snapple/Mott's organizations, respectively. An internal and external search will begin for a regional head of brand marketing for Americas Beverages.