Suntory Beverage and Food Europe (SBFE) CMO François Bazini is leaving the company after more than 11 years, during which he held multiple roles across seven countries.
The marketing veteran originally joined sister business Beam Suntory in 2014, fresh from 10 years at Pepsi.
He started as vp of marketing for the company’s global spirits division, overseeing brands such as Jim Beam and Double Oak in the region. He quickly rose to become international CMO before becoming global managing director across the Scotch, gin, and Irish whiskey portfolio.
In 2022, Bazini moved to Suntory Beverage & Food Europe (SBFE)—the soft drinks arm of the Japan-headquartered Suntory Group—taking on the role of CMO. There, he led campaigns to revive sales for brands including La Casera in Spain and Schweppes in France.
Now, the exec told ADWEEK, he is taking a sabbatical to “give back” to the ad industry. This will include writing three books in parallel, teaching at business schools, serving on the boards of startups, and offering advisory support to high-growth brands.
Frank Suyver, SBFE’s people and culture director, told ADWEEK Marketing Stars, the group’s marketing excellence programme stands as one of the marketers’ most tangible legacies.
“By championing capability building and personally contributing to the development of our marketers, he has ensured that his impact will continue well beyond his time in the role,” Suyver said.
The business plans to announce a successor shortly.
In 2024, when it last reported its financials, the Ribena and Lucozade owners’ revenues were up 6.6% for the year at $10.78 billion.
A gap in the market
The first in Bazini’s literary series will focus on helping regional marketers navigate the leap to international and global roles.
