South African for Johnnie Walker global

Gavin Pike

Diageo also announced yesterday 8 July 2010 that the previous global brand director, David Gates, is now global category director for whisky.

Gates said, "Gavin will be a great addition to the team in Amsterdam and his holistic marketing expertise is exactly what is needed to drive Johnnie Walker forward on to the next stage of its journey."

Pike has worked in the drinks industry since 1999 in various global marketing and innovation positions, joining brandhouse as innovation manager in 2003. Pike led the communications development around the re-introduction of Amstel into South Africa and has been responsible for growing strong brands as well as achieving portfolio growth in the region.

An iconic global bran

"Johnnie Walker is an iconic global brand with the most incredible heritage ... it is an enormous privilege for me to get the opportunity to shape the brands future course and velocity and build on the incredible work done by my predecessors," said Pike.

MD of brandhouse, Gerald Mahinda added, "I am thrilled to see him move into this exciting and challenging role, which will not only leverage his marketing and innovation experience, but call on his excellent relationship and leadership skills. In the time that I have worked with him, it has been evident that he has made an enormous contribution to brandhouse, building our brands and growing our portfolio. We will miss him greatly and wish him all the very best in his new role."