In the new role of marketing manager, he will oversee the development of the Arsenal brand both nationally and internationally. His initial focus will be the marketing of Arsenal's new stadium, which is due to open in August 2006.
Kinnear, who will report to commercial director Adrian Ford, previously held the post of senior brand manager for Powerade. He worked on Powerade's sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup, Euro 2004 and the forthcoming Athens Olympics, as well as endorsements with individual sports stars such as Wayne Rooney. Prior to Coca-Cola, he worked in the marketing department at Procter & Gamble.
In March Arsenal ap-pointed Envision, the US rights and sports entertainment agency, to manage the exclusive naming rights for the club's planned 60,000-seat stadium. Envision will seek a multi-year agreement with a blue-chip brand for the stadium.
Current shirt sponsor O2 is understood to be interested in the deal.
Arsenal says it has already generated strong interest from companies in the telecoms, soft drinks, consumer electronics and financial services sectors.
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