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Cadbury Schweppes has opened a Washington, D.C., public affairs office for its confectionery and beverage business in the Americas. Deborah L. Louison, formerly senior vice president and director of global services at APCO Worldwide, has been named Cadbury Schweppes vice president of government affairs based here. She will be responsible for government affairs throughout the Americas and will report to Neil Makin, Cadbury Schweppes external affairs director based in London.
@@img1 “Deb has extensive experience in government relations, public affairs and strategic communications,” stated Makin. “During her more than 20 years in Washington she has worked for members of congress, in federal government and as a political consultant and lobbyist. Her public policy experience at the federal, state and international levels is invaluable to Cadbury Schweppes as we expand our business activities in the U.S. and throughout the Americas.”
In addition to her government affairs duties, Louison will also be the company’s primary contact with trade associations, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other relevant entities, as well as provide counsel on the community relations and corporate and social responsibility (CSR) programs. Louison is the first in-house public affairs person for Cadbury Schweppes in North America.
“The timing for opening a regional government affairs office is perfect because we’ve recently restructured from nine regional business units down to five, and two are in the Americas — Parsippany, N.J.-based Cadbury Adams confectionery and Plano, Texas-based Americas Beverages,” explained Makin. “This is an important business growth region for Cadbury Schweppes, and one that has a substantial volume base of existing business. We need to be involved in the public policy debates related to those businesses, and now we have that in-house capability,” Makin concluded.
London-based Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE: CSG; London: CBRY) is a leading global marketer of branded confectionery and beverage products. Its primary North American brands include Dr Pepper, Snapple, Mott’s, Dentyne, Trident and Cadbury chocolate products.
CONTACT: Mike Martin of Dr Pepper-Seven Up, Inc., +1-972-673-8470, or michael_martin@dpsu.com