Bacardi has announced the appointment of Luiz Schmidt as Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand. Schmidt will return to Australia after serving as Regional Marketing Director for Bacardi in Latin America and the Caribbean for two years.
A University of Technology MBA graduate and FMCG marketing specialist with over 20 years of international experience, Schmidt will lead Bacardi’s sales, marketing, finance and supply chain functions and expand the company’s premium portfolio and market share in the region.
Schmidt comes to the position with experience leading long-term marketing and business strategy in companies such as Brown-Forman and Edrington in Australia, USA, Brazil, Mexico and Latin America.
Vijay Subramaniam, Regional President for Asia, Middle East & Africa and Global Travel Retail at Bacardi, said: “The appointment of Luiz Schmidt as our new Managing Director marks an exciting chapter for Bacardi in Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to his extensive international experience leading both developed and emerging markets with the company and more broadly within the industry, Schmidt brings a deep and nuanced understanding of the global premium spirits market.”
Schmidt said he’s excited to return to Australia, where he’ll be based with his family and take charge of a talented team across Australia and New Zealand.
“These markets are one of the most developed and attractive premium spirits markets in the world, offering Bacardi a tremendous opportunity to accelerate the growth of our iconic brands in close partnership with our customers and consumers,” he said.
In his most recent role as Regional Marketing Director for Bacardi in Latin America and the Caribbean, Schmidt successfully transformed the region’s marketing and commercial execution functions and increased market share for brands including Patrón and Bombay Sapphire while co-led Bacardi ́s marketing transformation in Mexico, including the successful launch of Bacardi Mango Chile, which is now Mexico’s leading flavoured spirit.
Bacardi-Martini Australia is a Category One Member of the Drinks Association.