Robert Blythe has been appointed as head of marketing for Ireland, Scotland and craft beer at Molson Coors Ltd.
Blythe, who will oversee all marketing activity for Molson Coors in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, joins the brewer from Kerry Group, where he held the position of marketing manager for the Group's raw meat division.
“This is an extraordinarily exciting time for Molson Coors in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,” Blythe said.
“Our horizon is firmly set on expansion across the entire brewing sector from our Coors Light and Carling brands, which have been recording phenomenal growth in Northern Ireland, into what I believe to be the category with phenomenal potential, Craft Beer, both in terms of the domestic market and internationally through Molson Coors’ network,” he added.
Established in 2009 and with offices in Belfast and Maynooth, Molson Coors Ireland is the country's fastest growing brewer, with its brands now accounting for over 10% of the overall Irish lager market.
The company, which acquired the Franciscan Well Craft Brewery in Cork earlier this year, has experienced year-on-year growth in Northern Ireland, with a 23% increase in volume and and a 20% rise in value.
© 2013 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine by Ellen Lunney
