Newlands will report directly to president and CEO, Tom Flocco, and serve on the company's executive committee. While brand marketing remains under chief marketing officer Rory Finlay, Newlands will assume responsibility for U.S. regional marketing, commercial activation and the sales training function while working closely and collaborating with Future Brands and distributor partners. Newlands will officially start in his new role on February 1, 2008, after fulfilling his commitments to Constellation Brands on January 31, 2008.
"Bill's experience leading Beam Wine Estates and his savvy commercial and organizational skills will help us further enhance our competitive position in the U.S., by focusing on U.S. market commercial activation, sales and distributor management," stated Flocco.