WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Reynolds American Inc. and its subsidiaries have announced a re-alignment of marketing and sales, including several new executive assignments and retirements.
Today's competitive cigarette marketplace requires seamless integration of brand marketing and sales efforts, said Susan M. Ivey, chairman and CEO of both Reynolds American and its largest subsidiary, R.J. Reynolds. To maximize effectiveness in communicating with adult smokers through all channels, R.J. Reynolds has blended those functions into a new structure called Consumer &[image-nocss] amp; Trade Marketing, headed by Gavin Little.
She added, We believe this singular focus will strengthen and ensure continuity of message to our customers, as well as continued productivity gains within the organization.
Gavin D. Little, 38, currently European marketing director for British American Tobacco Plc (BAT) and a member of BAT's European board, has been named executive vice president of consumer and trade marketing for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Little plans to join the company in February 2006.
James V. Maguire, 54, currently executive vice president of sales for R.J. Reynolds, will retire in May 2006. Fran Creighton, 54, currently executive vice president of marketing for R.J. Reynolds, has accepted a position within BAT's International Brand Group, and will relocate to London in March 2006.
Charles A. Blixt, 54, currently executive vice president and general counsel of Reynolds American, also plans to retire, following the completion of a transitional period once his successor has been named.
In addition, Donald I. Lamonds, 49, was promoted to executive vice president of information technology and chief information officer of R.J. Reynolds. He had been senior vice president of information technology and chief information officer.
Within the new consumer and trade marketing function of R.J. Reynolds, there were a number of other executive promotions and appointments, including:
Brice O'Brien, 37, formerly vice president of marketing for the Camel business unit, has been promoted to senior vice president of brands for the company. Bryan K. Stockdale, 47, formerly vice president of sales strategy and operations, has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing operations. Robert Stowe, 48, formerly area vice president of field sales, has been promoted to senior vice president of trade marketing. Walton T. Carpenter, 53, formerly vice president of strategy and planning, has been promoted to senior vice president of strategy and planning. Victoria M. Person-Goral, 49, formerly director of region sales, has been promoted to area vice president of trade marketing. Colin M. Uffindell, 43, formerly area vice president of field sales, was named vice president of field marketing. Cressida Lozano, 32, formerly vice president of marketing for Reynolds American's Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. subsidiary, will relocate to Winston-Salem and has been named vice president of R.J. Reynolds' Camel business unit. Melanie Barbee, 42, formerly vice president of R.J. Reynolds' full price brands and strategic initiatives, will replace Lozano as vice president of marketing at Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. and will relocate to Santa Fe, N.M.We are indeed fortunate to have such a broad and deep talent pool upon which to draw for our future success, said Ivey. We are delighted that our strategic partnership with Reynolds American's largest shareholder, BAT, and our ability to offer positions within other RAI operating units, affords us the opportunity to broaden the business experience of our employees. Each company's business will benefit from the leadership strengths and broad perspective that these individuals bring.
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