Diageo Hires Outsider CMO, Unilever Sells Welly

Diageo installs an unconventional CMO as North America posts its weakest 2026 results, Unilever quietly exits a Gen Z bet, and eight German trade bodies declare war on a sugar tax that could reshape European beverage marketing. In this episode: Diageo North America has appointed Sebnem Erim — a veteran of PepsiCo and AB InBev, not spirits — as CMO, a category-crossing hire made as the business records its weakest financial results of 2026. Eight German industry associations have launched a coordinated public campaign against a proposed sugar tax that would hit carbonated soft drinks, juices, and RTDs across one of Europe's largest beverage markets. Unilever has agreed to sell challenger first-aid brand Welly Health PBC to private-equity firm Forward Consumer Partners, marking the exit of a deliberate Gen Z acquisition from its portfolio rationalisation drive. The FMCG Marketing Daily is a concise briefing for FMCG and CPG marketers, brand managers and CMOs, hosted by Marco & Klara. New episode every day. Enjoying the show? A quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps other marketers find us. Also from Marco & Klara: The Digital Commerce Daily · The Health Marketing Daily