Diageo has appointed Matt Bruhn global brand director for Smirnoff, with effect from October 1, reporting to David Gates, head of premium core brands.
Smirnoff recently launched a revamped brand strategy after appointing 72andSunny, its new global agency, last month.
Bruhn brings a wealth of experience to the role and held previous senior posts at the company including, the senior VP of its vodka, rum, and tequila brands. His current role is the head of Diageo’s marketing and innovations activity in Australia.
Bruhn – currently marketing and innovation director for Australia – joined Diageo nine years ago and has held various senior marketing roles across Australia and Asia
Pacific. These include sponsorship marketing manager for first Australia and later Asia Pacific, as well as marketing manager for Bundaberg Rum.
During his time with Bundaberg, Bruhn oversaw the premiumisation of the product. As marketing and innovation director for Diageo Australia, he led his team to several top awards, including 2013 Adfest Advertiser of the Year and two Bronze Lions at Cannes for the Bundaberg Road to Recovery campaign.
Before joining Diageo, Matt had stints in marketing at Imperial Tobacco and Kellogg’s.
“Matt has a fantastic track-record of driving creative brilliance and working with internal teams and agencies to create award-winning work with great outcomes. I’m
confident that the appointment of a new, dynamic agency, 72 and Sunny, combined with Matt’s vision and strong leadership, will be a winning formula for the brand”, said Gates.
Bruhn will replace Simon Burch, who is leaving Diageo to pursue other opportunities, the company said. He has been with Diageo for seven years, holding senior
marketing roles in Canada and North America before becoming global brand director for Smirnoff.
Smirnoff recently launched a revamped brand strategy after appointing 72andSunny, its new global agency, last month.
Bruhn brings a wealth of experience to the role and held previous senior posts at the company including, the senior VP of its vodka, rum, and tequila brands. His current role is the head of Diageo’s marketing and innovations activity in Australia.
Bruhn – currently marketing and innovation director for Australia – joined Diageo nine years ago and has held various senior marketing roles across Australia and Asia
Pacific. These include sponsorship marketing manager for first Australia and later Asia Pacific, as well as marketing manager for Bundaberg Rum.
During his time with Bundaberg, Bruhn oversaw the premiumisation of the product. As marketing and innovation director for Diageo Australia, he led his team to several top awards, including 2013 Adfest Advertiser of the Year and two Bronze Lions at Cannes for the Bundaberg Road to Recovery campaign.
Before joining Diageo, Matt had stints in marketing at Imperial Tobacco and Kellogg’s.
“Matt has a fantastic track-record of driving creative brilliance and working with internal teams and agencies to create award-winning work with great outcomes. I’m
confident that the appointment of a new, dynamic agency, 72 and Sunny, combined with Matt’s vision and strong leadership, will be a winning formula for the brand”, said Gates.
Bruhn will replace Simon Burch, who is leaving Diageo to pursue other opportunities, the company said. He has been with Diageo for seven years, holding senior
marketing roles in Canada and North America before becoming global brand director for Smirnoff.
