Johnnie Walker proprietor Diageo has appointed John O’Keeffe as its North America president and CEO, changing Sally Grimes, who left the agency with quick impact this week.
O’Keeffe strikes into the function having beforehand served as Diageo’s president of Asia Pacific and international journey retail enterprise.
His different roles held on the London-headquartered agency since becoming a member of in January 1994 have included international head of innovation and managing director of Russia and Japanese Europe, amongst quite a few different administration and advertising and marketing positions.
A Diageo spokesperson mentioned: “John is a well-respected chief in our enterprise, recognized for constructing high-performing, engaged groups and constructing trusted partnerships with prospects and distributors.
“His mix of client, brand-building and class capabilities uniquely positions him to steer North America over the following few years.”
O’Keeffe takes over the place from Sally Grimes, who stepped away from the corporate this week.
“We’d prefer to thank Sally for her contribution to Diageo and need her all the perfect sooner or later,” the Diageo spokesperson added.
Grimes took on the North America CEO function for Diageo in September 2023, having joined from power meals and drinks maker Clif Bar & Firm.
Diageo’s gross sales in North America had been down by 6.8% within the first half (H1) of its 2026 fiscal 12 months. The area makes up 36% of Diageo’s internet gross sales.
Following the discharge of the corporate’s monetary outcomes, CEO Sir Dave Lewis mentioned he was focusing on the mass market, which he believes is an space the place Diageo is “considerably underrepresented”.
Final week, the Indian arm of Diageo agreed to promote its Premier League cricket enterprise to a consortium for INR 166.6 billion (US$1.77bn).
Final week two of Diageo’s greatest opponents, Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman, confirmed they’re in early talks to kind a merger.
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