Diageo NA Names New CMO As McDonough Departs

Just days after naming current CFO Deirdre Mahlan as its new North America president, replacing the retiring Larry Schwartz, Diageo has announced that James Thompson will lead its North American marketing efforts as chief marketing and innovation officer. On August 1, Thompson will succeed Peter McDonough, who is leaving Diageo after nine years with the company.

Thompson, also a Diageo veteran, has been with the group for two decades, currently as managing director of Global Reserve, a role in which he’s credited with “investing behind luxury brand building and innovative marketing activity at scale,” in the company’s words. Prior to that, he was CMO of Diageo Asia Pacific for six years, and has also spent time in the North America unit, as SVP, Priority Brands, among other roles.

Diageo CMO Syl Saller said Thompson’s “proven track record in building brands ranging from Guinness to Johnnie Walker Blue Label will be a huge asset to our North America business.” Thompson’s replacement as head of Global Reserve will be announced subsequently.

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