Jim Beam's Paula Jordan joins Heinz marketing team

Heinz has overhauled its marketing team with the departure of Adrian Mooney, currently marketing director of sauces.

Mooney has been overseeing sauces since 2007 and developed the first joint HP/Heinz consumer initiative- Heinz BBQ Heroez.

Heinz Tomato Ketchup has been battling to retain share as cash-strapped consumers turn to own-label alternatives.

In the four weeks to 11 July, the brand's share dropped to 74.7%, from 79.9% over the same period in 2008, according to AC Nielsen.

Heinz was also forced into an embarrassing rethink after a wave of customer complaints over its much vaunted lightweight tomato ketchup bottle.

The company launched the bottle in April, heralding it a major step forward in packaging reduction. Made from clear plastic and 9% lighter than its predecessor, it would save 340 tonnes of plastic a year, Heinz boasted. However, the bottle had a defect that made it brittle and difficult to squeeze. The glitch caused a storm on consumer website MoneySavingExpert.com.

Giles Jepson is now moving to the role of marketing director for sauces from his previous position as marketing director of the beans category. Jepson, who joined Heinz in late 2008, will also pick up responsibility for the Amoy portfolio.

Paul Sternlieb will continue in his role as marketing director of the frozen retail category. Jane Jeffreys will continue to lead the infant feeding category.

All four marketing directors report to Dave Woodward, President Heinz UK & Ireland.

This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk