USA: Constellation Brands appoints executive vice president and managing director of its beer division

Constellation Brands has announced new and expanded responsibilities for two members of its executive management committee, effective 1 March 2021, ESM reported on February 25.

Executive vice president and chief marketing officer Jim Sabia has assumed the newly created role of executive vice president and managing director of the beer division.

Mallika Monteiro will take up additional responsibilities as executive vice president and chief growth, strategy and digital officer.

In his new role, Sabia will lead the beer division's operations, services, and commercial business functions.

The position of chief marketing officer will remain open in the near-term, the company said.

Given the importance of this role in Constellation Brands' long-term growth aspirations, the group plans to fill this position over time.

Monteiro will assume added responsibility for leading the company's media initiatives, including digital marketing, three-tier e-commerce, and Constellation Ventures, as part of the new role.

Constellation Ventures focuses on investing in early-stage start-ups in the beverage alcohol space and adjacent categories.

President and CEO of Constellation Brands, Bill Newlands, said that "it is critical that we continue to invest in broadening the knowledge, perspective, and capabilities of our leaders" in order for the group to achieve its long-term goals.

He added, "Mallika and Jim will continue to work closely with the rest of our executive management committee to further build on our success."

Sabia joined the company in 2007 as the vice president of marketing for the company's spirits business before taking responsibility for the entire portfolio in 2018 as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Under Sabia's leadership, growth trends for the company's beer portfolio significantly outpaced the US beer market.

As the executive vice president and chief marketing officer, he was instrumental in transforming its wine and spirits business.

Commenting on his new role, Sabia said he is looking forward to "continuing to work with the team to drive a consumer-obsessed mindset across our business as we progress towards our long-term growth aspirations."

Monteiro joined Constellation Brands in 2016 as vice-president of beer innovation.

In 2019, Constellation Brands appointed her as the company's executive vice-president and chief growth and strategy officer.

Monteiro commented, "We must be agile to stay ahead of shifting consumer behaviour. This requires us to continue building an organization with best-in-class capabilities to anticipate, meet and engage with consumers where they are headed, whether that is in digital channels or by exploring disruptive brands in emerging categories."

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