NEWS: Bacardi-Martini Australia

BACARDI-MARTINI AUSTRALIA APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Bacardi-Martini Australia (BMA) has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director, Mauricio Vergara joining the Australia team from his role as Chief Operating Officer with Bacardi’s North American division.

Vergara has been with Bacardi Limited since 2013 and the appointment comes in response to the company’s growth in the Asia-Pacific region, with the company saying it “marks the continued development of global talent across the business”.

Mauricio Vergara

Regional Vice President Denis Brown, who will continue to have regional responsibility for Australia, welcomed Vergara to BMA and said he was looking forward to introducing him to the Australian market.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Mauricio Vergara to the North Asia Pacific (NAPAC) Region Bacardi Leadership Team,” Brown said.

“Mauricio and the leadership team will continue to focus on developing the spirit and cocktail categories. Australian consumers are enjoying more cocktails and mixed spirits like gin and tonics, as witnessed in the growth of the gin category, aperitifs and super premium spirits.

“I am looking forward to introducing Mauricio to Australia’s sophisticated bar scene and customer landscape gaining his input from North America. Also, I am delighted we can demonstrate developing talent globally with this appointment as we move to make the next 10 years Bacardi’s best 10.”

Vergara has spent 15 years in the beverage industry and has worked in various marketing and commercial leadership roles in his six years with Bacardi Limited.

“I’ve spent more than 25 years in brand marketing, 15 of which have been in the beverage industry,” Vergara said. “As someone who’s been responsible for commercial strategy, customer marketing and sales of the Bacardi portfolio across North America, I have a passion for the front end of our business.

“The global spirits industry is adapting to cultural shifts. Consumers are more informed and want to know the story behind what they’re buying. I’m eager to continue to develop Bacardi-Martini Australia’s portfolio, leading a forward-thinking team in a pivotal phase of growth.”

Before Bacardi, Vergara has worked for Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, SAB Miller and Brown-Forman. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico. Vergara will move to Sydney and begin his new role in July.