NEWS: Danone axes MD post

French food company Groupe Danone has axed the marketing director’s

position at its yoghurt subsidiary, Danone, as part of the restructure

of its UK business, which last week saw the departure of HP Foods’

marketing director, Andrew Marsden.

The group, which ranks third in Europe behind Unilever and Nestle, is

rationalising its UK brands following a review of its creative and media

agencies earlier this year.

Danone’s marketing director, Peter Torreele, has left to join the

company’s Belgian brewing concern, Alken Maes, in the same position. His

job has been taken by senior product manager John Ashmore, who has been

promoted to marketing manager.

The firm has also lost managing director Marc Roubaud, who is thought to

be returning to France.

Danone yoghurts have been supported with minimal advertising for the

past three years, mainly depending on the Petit Danone work adapted by

Young & Rubicam from French campaigns.

See Analysis, page 13

This article was first published on Marketing