Robert MacNevin, who has been group marketing director since April 1997, is leaving next month to join a management consultancy. He is also managing director of Matthew Clark's cider business, and will be replaced in that role by Neil Fraser from field marketing agency Mosaic Field Solutions.
Matthew Clark does not plan to hire a new marketing chief.
Matthew Clark is split into two businesses: Matthew Clark Wholesale, one of the largest wholesalers to the UK on-trade, and Matthew Clark Brands, owner of brands including Strathmore spring water, Blackthorn and Diamond White cider, Stowells of Chelsea and Paul Masson wines, Babycham and Arbor Mist.
It also produces fcuk Spirit on behalf of fcuk.
A spokesman said that over the past 18 months, the marketing teams within each of the separate divisions had been strengthened, and the company now felt they were capable of working autonomously, without the need for referral to a group-wide marketer.
However, it also follows a slashing of marketing spend for Matthew Clark's cider brands over the past few years. The last time Blackthorn was advertised nationally on TV was in 1999 and the brand has lagged far behind market leader Strongbow.
Last week, Constellation Brands said it was buying Australia's largest wine producer, BRL Hardy, in an £87m deal. BRL Hardy is the UK's largest seller of Australian wines in the UK.
Brand health check, page 15.
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