Having just completed a restructuring of its marketing department, Labatt Breweries of Canada is looking to fill the newly created position of director of advertising.

Paul Smith, Labatt director of public relations/communication, says the brewer has decided to bring some advertising expertise in-house to help in strategic planning and to be available on a continuing basis to the brand groups.

Smith says whoever takes the job will likely be from the consumer goods area and have a proven track record in advertising.

He says the recent changes in the marketing department look bigger than they really are.

‘It’s really a tweaking of assignments and the acknowledgement of good work done by a lot of people,’ Smith says.

‘We want to keep moving in terms of opportunities and recognition of contributions,’ he says.

One of the people to be recognized is David Kincaid, who has moved to the new position of director of strategic brand planning.

Kincaid’s old job, director of Labatt family brands, has been taken over by Mike Browne.

Browne was previously marketing manager for corporate brand and the Blue family.

Rob Cross, who was director of licensed brands and media, is now director of partner and imported brands.

Reporting to Cross is Bob Chant, who continues as marketing manager for imported brands, but is now also responsible for the Carlsberg family.

David Van Wees has been promoted to marketing manager for Light, Copper and John Labatt Classic from assistant marketing manager.

Mike Glover, marketing manager for Budweiser, has been named director of regional and price brands, which include Kokanee in b.c., Keith’s in Nova Scotia, and value-priced Wildcat and p.c., Loblaw’s President’s Choice beer, which is marketed by Labatt.

Glover has been replaced by Bryan Semkuley, who was previously brand manager of Kokanee.

Aiden Tracey is now marketing manager for Kokanee and Keith’s brands.

Mike Rapino, brand manager for Labatt Genuine Draft, also takes on Labatt Ice.

The fate of two members of the marketing department is not yet known.

Rick Shaver, who worked on Ice brand, and Karin Koonings, previously on Carlsberg brand, are being considered for international assignments, however no further details are available now.

Glen Cavanaugh, who was on the value price brand portfolio, is no longer with the company.

There has also been a change in the public affairs department.

Sharon MacKay, formerly with Coca-Cola Canada, joined Labatt as director of public affairs last week.

MacKay replaces Terry Zuk, who has moved to handle public affairs for Atlantic region.