Pabst Brewing Company announced today that Daniel McHugh, former Vice President of Trademark Brands at Anheuser-Busch, has been hired as Chief Marketing Officer.
McHugh brings over 20 years of experience in marketing and sales experience to Pabst. At Anheuser-Busch, McHugh directed the day to day marketing and management of the company’s largest beer brands, representing 98% of the volume and revenue and over $9 billion in variable margin. He constructed strategic brand plans and managed the portfolio’s brand identity from advertising to packaging. It was during his tenure as VP Bud Light Marketing that McHugh recognized the power and potential of the UFC, which led him to being promoted to Vice President, Media, Sponsorship, and Activation. McHugh managed operations of a 170 employee division that planned and bought over $850 million of brand media, sports, entertainment, digital, and local media, bringing his career full-circle since he entered the company as a media buyer in 1989. This included the negotiation and activation of key sponsorships for over 2,500 vendors including MLB, NFL, NHL, NASCAR, NBA, and the UFC. Additionally, McHugh held various positions within the Busch Media Group including Supervisor National TV acting as the liaison between their national media buying group in NYC and senior management in St. Louis. Most recently, he has been a managing partner at marketing consultancy ScootOver Marketing and VP, Group Account Director servicing Rite Aid Corporation for Marc USA.
“Dan has a proven track record as an outside the box strategist, which makes him the perfect candidate to lead Pabst’s marketing efforts,” said Evan and Daren Metropoulos, co-owners of Pabst Brewing Company. “His ability to execute unique campaigns for a diverse portfolio of brands means he can respond to the distinctive values of our products and consumers. Over the course of his career, Dan has sought the same goals that our executive team, and Pabst itself, embody – striving for innovation while respecting brand loyalists – so we’re excited to see what our collaboration will bring to bear.”
At this position, McHugh will focus on building off of a very strong and loyal customer base with relevant geographic specific marketing programs that will further increase brand loyalty and entice new customers to try Pabst products.
“This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for,” said Daniel McHugh. “The entrepreneurial environment that Daren and Evan Metropoulos foster is one that will allow me to harness decades of experience in the beer industry while challenging me to take a family of iconic brands places they’ve never been before. I’m looking forward to contributing to the continued growth of what is truly an American institution.”
McHugh will reunite with John Coleman, the recently appointed President of Pabst Brewing Company, with whom he worked closely at Anheuser-Busch. “We are thrilled to have someone with Dan’s background lead our Marketing Team,” said Coleman. “His vast experience in Brand Management and Field Marketing will be a dynamic combination allowing us to grow both our National and Regional Brands.”
About Pabst Brewing Company
In business since 1844, the Pabst Brewing Company is North America’s largest privately held brewing company. Pabst Brewing’s portfolio includes iconic brands with deep ties to America’s heritage such as Pabst Blue Ribbon, Schlitz, Colt 45, Old Style, Lone Star, Stroh’s, Ballantine, Old Milwaukee and Rainer. Pabst Brewing Company is owned by Evan, Daren, and C. Dean Metropoulos, who acquired the company in 2010. For more information on Pabst, visit www.pabstbrewingco.com
