Suntory Oceania Taps Global Marketing Powerhouse as New CMO

Bríd Drohan-Stewart joins Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania in April 2026 to drive brand growth across Australia and New Zealand.

As Suntory Oceania fulfills its goal of igniting the local beverage market, Bríd Drohan-Stewart has been appointed chief marketing officer of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania.

Drohan-Stewart is an international marketing leader with over 25 years of experience managing high achieving teams. She has demonstrated a strong track record of transforming brands to grow businesses for larger organizations like The Coca-Cola Company, McDonald's, and Woolworths Group.

She leaves Woolworths after five years, having successfully led the Countdown brand through difficult COVID-19 trading conditions, rebranded Countdown to Woolworths and launched Everyday Rewards in New Zealand. She is currently the marketing director of Fresh Food People.

An expert in international beverages, Drohan-Stewart has also worked for The Coca-Cola Company in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, where she managed important campaigns like the 2011 Rugby World Cup, "Share a Coke," and Diet Coke's UK relaunch.

In Australia and New Zealand, she will assume direct leadership of Suntory Oceania's non-alcohol portfolio, which includes brands V Energy, Suntory BOSS Coffee and Maximus, after joining the Oceania executive leadership team.

Suntory Beverage and Food Oceania CEO Dai Minato expressed his happiness at having Bríd join the company, citing Drohan-Stewart's remarkable experience in developing brands in the FMCG, QSR, and retail industries. Bríd will be instrumental in ushering in a new era for their portfolio in Australia and New Zealand as they create innovative and creative beverage experiences.

According to Drohan-Stewart, she is thrilled to be joining Suntory because of its 125 year history and dedication to quality, innovation and craftsmanship. The future of the beverage industry in Australia and New Zealand could be greatly influenced by working together with Suntory Oceania's iconic brands, which have the potential to be disruptive and dynamic and give consumers more options.

In April 2026, Drohan-Stewart will become a member of the team and work out of Suntory Oceania's Sydney office. The fourth-largest multi-beverage group in the region, Suntory Oceania is responsible for the entire portfolio of over 40 brands, which includes premium spirits, RTD (ready-to-drink) alcoholic beverages, juice, water, soft drinks, coffee, and energy and sports drinks.