Frucor Beverages’ Mark Cowsill named New Zealand Marketer of the Year
Mark Cowsill, managing director of Frucor Beverages has been named the country’s top marketer in 2003 at the annual
Marketing Magazine Marketing Awards.
Cowsill is the person behind the ‘V’ phenomenon and a raft of other Frucor success stories. He’s also been the guiding
influence behind the remarkable transition of what was a minor subsidiary of the NZ Apple and Pear Marketing Board.
Under his leadership, the business has grown from a turnover of around $60 million to more than $300 million in just 10
years through a series of well-calculated risks.
These include diversifying into new categories through the launch of new brands like V and Mizone, diversifying
geographically by entering new and larger markets like Australia and the UK, and acquiring new businesses like Pepsi in
New Zealand, all the while, managing three ownership changes in the last 5 years.
With his hand at the helm, the organisation has shifted from a medium-sized commodity producer to a multi-national
supplier of note.
Other Finalists for the FCB Marketer of the Year Award were: Craig Douglas, general manager, sales and marketing, Fisher & Paykel Scott Forest, marketing communications manager, Carich New Zealand.