WOSA appoints new CEO

Former head of global marketing for cream liqueur brand Amarula, Siobhan Thompson, has been named as the new CEO for Wines of South Africa.

WOSA CEO from November, Siobhan Thompson was formerly head of global marketing for Amarula

Thompson will begin the new role from November, replacing Su Birch, who has been CEO of the wine industry association since 2000 – although Birch will remain at WOSA until the end of the year to help with the handover.

As previously reported by db, Birch intends to take “a brief sabbatical” and then focus on developing marketing plans for a range of clients.

Thompson has been Distell’s global head of marketing for Amarula and the company’s other liqueur brands since 2010.

She was previously Distell’s group general marketing manager for brandies and cognac, including Bisquit.

She also worked for several years promoting the company’s sparkling wines and was responsible for the launch of the luxury Pongracz Desiderius Cap Classique.

Before joining Distell in 2001, she was responsible for the UCT Graduate School of Business marketing and public relations.

WOSA chairman Johann Krige said the organisation was looking forward to having someone of Thompson’s global marketing calibre and experience at the helm to further the significant contribution made by Birch.

“She is a highly respected, results-orientated, marketing professional,” he said.

“Her seasoned exposure to traditional and developing markets and her conversancy with the alcohol category inspire great confidence,” he added.