V&S announces new duty-free structure

John Rimmer

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V&S Absolut Spirits has finalised details of its new structure for global travel-retail, operational since January 1

Sweden-based liquor supplier V&S Absolut Spirits has finalised the structure of its new division for the global travel-retail market. The team will be headed by Anders Olsson (DFNI November 15 2005) following Erik Juul-Mortensen's move to Maxxium Global Travel Retail.

V&S' Global Travel Retail division is divided into three sections: financial, strategic development and sales. There are few changes to the supplier's sales team, with Torben Vedel Andersen remaining area director Americas, Henrik Frandsen area director EU, Middle East and Africa, Reijo Burtsov area director Nordic and CEE and Vibeke Christensen area manager Nordic. Trade marketing manager Marc Fogtmann moves to Asia/Pacific to become regional area manager.

Meanwhile, area director Canada, Central America and Caribbean domestic markets Magnus Bidestam becomes the division's strategic development manager. He will manage a team comprising trade marketing manager Christian Westerberg and project manager Helena Nordlund, previously assistant to Anders Olsson. Michael Ost-Jensen has been named global travel retail controller, assisted by Hanne Hilslev-Nielsen.

Commenting on the changes, Olsson said: "We now have a strong, experienced and dynamic team in place to take V&S Absolut Spirits forward in global travel retail. The combination of a formidable brand portfolio and a dedicated global travel retail team will make V&S a real force to be reckoned with. Working closely with our distribution partner Maxxium, we expect 2006 to be one of our most successful years to date."