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Lion Beer creates new marketing head role, making two positions redundant

Lion Beer Australia has announced a new marketing leadership structure, with the creation of a single marketing director role that leaves two senior positions redundant.

Gerard Smith, who most recently worked at meat processor JBS Primo as general manager sales, marketing and R&D, has been appointed to the new marketing director role, the company announced today.

Before JBS Primo, Smith had previously worked at Pepsico for 11 years, holding a range of marketing and strategy positions across Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Tanya Marler, who held one of the now-redundant positions, was appointed back in 2015 as marketing director with responsibility for major brands XXXX, Tooheys, Hahn, James Boags and Lion’s international premium brands.

Along with Marler, Ben Slocombe’s position of marketing director, category and planning has also been made redundant. Slocombe’s role gave him responsibility for category, shopper, planning and insights, and Lion’s beer and cider category strategies.

The change now centralises accountability for both positions into the one role.

Gordon Treanor, who was promoted to marketing director, craft and cider at the same time as Marler and Slocombe, has retained a role with the company after a promotion to general manager, craft five months ago.

Managing director James Brindley said: “On behalf of Lion, we offer our great thanks to both Ben Slocombe and Tanya Marler for their many achievements and contribution to the success of Lion over fifteen and five years respectively. They leave a great legacy which we will continue to build upon.”

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