With John Barnett now heading Molson Breweries, changes could be afoot.

Barnett, who replaces Bruce Pope as president and chief executive officer of Molson, is described as aggressive, hands-on and street-smart.

He was formerly head of Molson U.S.A.

Pope, a top executive with Molson since 1992, was considered more of a strategist.

He will continue with the brewery as an advisor.

Barry Joslin, senior vice-president of corporate and public affairs for The Molson Companies, says Barnett’s experience in the u.s. over the past five years makes him suited to moving Molson forward.

Barnett returned to Molson in Canada after it was decided the Molson U.S.A. operation would be folded into Miller Brewing Company by the middle of December.

‘Over the last three years, there’s no question our marketshare has suffered somewhat,’ Joslin says.

‘At least part of that has been a structural problem,’ he says. ‘We had too many brands and even where we had good brands, they were in segments, like the ale segment in Quebec, that were declining.

‘I think we had become a little too strategic, and not aggressive enough, and not quick enough, and not good enough in the execution of some things.’