Heineken USA says Ken Kunze is new v.p. marketing

Modern Brewery Age, August 15, 2005

Heineken USA reports that Ken Kunze, general manager for the western region, will ascend to the post of vice president, marketing. He replaces Steve Davis, who left the company last month.

Kunze began his career at Heineken USA eight years ago as director of marketing for the Heineken brand, with responsibility for all Heineken brand marketing activities. During his tenure, he directed development of the "It's All About the Beer" ad campaign. He also worked on establishing the first-ever multicultural marketing effort for Heineken, and on the introduction of the Keg Can. Kunze was named an Ad Age "Top 100 Marketer" in 2001.

In 2003, Kunze was appointed general manager of the company's Western Regional Business Unit, where he has been responsible for all sales and field marketing activities for the company in 13 western states. He led the unit in a major restructuring and managed the integration of five FEMSA Cerveza Mexican beer brands into the Heineken USA portfolio.

In announcing Kunze's promotion, Heineken USA President and CEO Frans van der Minne stated, "We are all very pleased that Ken has accepted this new challenge for Heineken USA. He brings to his new position not only deep marketing credentials, but also strong leadership skills and an acute awareness of the importance of integrating marketing and sales activities at the local market level."

Prior to joining Heineken USA, Kunze held a series of beverage marketing positions at Cadbury Schweppes and PepsiCo. Kunze graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. degree in Finance and received his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.