Published on: October 23, 2026
Sebnem Erim, who has held marketing leadership roles at PepsiCo and AB InBev, has joined Diageo North America as its Chief Marketing Officer.
Sharing the appointment on LinkedIn, Erim described the position as “the opportunity to help shape the next chapter for some of the world’s most iconic brands, alongside such a talented team.“
She said the role reflects the aspects of marketing she values most, including “understanding people, inspiring creativity, and building brands that connect with consumers and drive growth.”
Erim thanked John O’Keeffe, Cristina Diezhandino and her new colleagues for welcoming her to the organisation. She also highlighted her first Marketing Town Hall with the team, saying she was energised by the experience and “excited about the ideas, ambition, and opportunities ahead.” She added that she was “looking forward to bringing bold ideas to life and building on the remarkable legacy of these brands.”
Headquartered in London, Diageo manages a portfolio of around 200 brands, including Tanqueray, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and Guinness. While several of its labels hold leading positions in their categories, Erim takes on the role amid challenges in the North American market.
Consumers in the United States are reducing their spirits consumption, while Diageo’s North American division has recorded the weakest performance across the group in 2026.
In May 2026, Diageo CEO Sir Dave Lewis identified North America as the company’s biggest challenge. He noted that marketing conditions in the region remained soft and said the company’s offering needed to become more competitive.
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