Diageo Names New CMO and North American President

Syl Saller and Deirdre Mahlan will both retire

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British beer, wine and spirits manufacturer Diageo said today that it is preparing to undergo two executive leadership changes, both effective July 1.

The producers of Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, Cîroc, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness will say goodbye to Diageo president North America Deirdre Mahlan and CMO Syl Saller, who have both been with the company for nearly 20 years and will retire.

Mahlan, who will retire on June 30, will be succeeded by Debra Crew, who currently serves as a non-executive director on the Diageo board, and Saller will be succeeded by Cristina Diezhandino, global category director scotch and managing director for Reserve, Diageo’s luxury brands business.

Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo, commented on Mahlan’s departure, stating that while he is sad to be losing Mahlan (who has led Diageo North America since 2015), he knows that “she leaves a great legacy in the North America business...

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