Former Red Lobster Marketer Moves to Brown-Forman

ATLANTA Brown-Forman Beverages has named Mark McCallum chief marketing officer for its spirits brands, the company said.

He succeeds Paul Varga, who becomes chief executive officer August 1. McCallum takes up the CMO post three days later.

The Louisville, Ky.-based Brown-Forman spent $95 million on ads last year, according to TNS Media Intelligence/CMR.

In his new role, McCallum will oversee marketing and advertising activities for all of Brown-Forman’s approximately 30 spirits brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Canadian Mist, Early Times, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Glenmorangie, Pepe Lopez, Don Eduardo, Tuaca, Amarula, and Appleton.