USA: SABMiller appoints Norman Adami as new head for Americas business, Tom Long to succeed as CEO of Miller Brewing Co.

SABMiller Plc, the world's second-largest brewer, said that Norman Adami, chief executive officer of Miller Brewing Co., would become the head of SABMiller Americas effective from August, Reuters released July 17.

Adami will assume overall strategic responsibility for the firm's American businesses, which are expected to account for almost 40 percent of group volumes and 50 percent of sales revenue in the current financial year, SABMiller said in a statement July 17. SABMiller said Adami will assume overall responsibility for SAB's existing businesses in North, Central and South America.

Adami will continue to be based in Milwaukee.

The Business Journal of Milwaukee posted July 17 that Tom Long will succeed Norman Adami as president and chief executive officer of Miller Brewing Co. August 01.

Long joined Milwaukee-based Miller as chief marketing officer July 1, 2005. He replaced retiring executive Bob Mikulay.

Prior to his appointment, Long served as president of Coca-Cola Co.'s northwest European division, which includes Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

In addition to being promoted to CEO at Miller, Long will also join the SABMiller executive committee.

Randy Ransom will join Miller as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, succeeding Long, Miller said in a separate statement Monday. Ransom previously served as president of ConvergencePoint Group, a business consulting firm focusing on assisting organizations with capitalizing on cross-cultural market trends and opportunities. Ransom also previously served as senior vice president of portfolio strategy for Coca-Cola North America.

Originally from Mexico City, Ransom is a dual citizen of both the United States and Mexico.

Tom Cardella, who currently heads Miller's international brand and market development functions including business strategy and planning, will take on an expanded role as executive vice president for sales and distribution. Cardella will continue to lead Miller's pricing strategy group as well the international brands team.

Doug Brodman, now head of Miller's sales and distribution organization, will become senior vice president of Miller International, overseeing Miller's export and international franchise business.

Charlie Frenette, a non-executive director of Miller Brewing Co. and a special adviser to the company, has agreed to serve as the interim leader of Miller's business strategy and planning function while a permanent executive is selected within the next six months.

"These management changes are the culmination of three years of deliberate work to build a strong management team at Miller," Adami said.

Adami's tenure as CEO began after John Bowlin resigned in early 2003 after the May 2002 acquisition of Miller by South African Breweries in 2002, forming SABMiller. Since then, Adami has overseen a rebound in sales and in the flagship Miller Lite brand.

"Under Norman's leadership during the turn-around phase, Miller restored itself as a truly competitive player in the American beer industry," said Long. "And with Norman's support at the Americas level, we believe we have the focused, action-oriented management team in place required to lead Miller's step up to the next level."

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