WFA appoints Pernod’s Reilly as new president

The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, has appointed Pernod Ricard CMO Martin Reilly (left) as its new President. He replaces another drinks industry CMO Chris Burggraeve of AB InBev who has held the post since 2010.

Riley says: “I’m delighted and honoured to be taking over the Presidency of WFA, not least in its jubilee year. It’s a prestigious organization with a truly global footprint and I look forward to meeting the members and listening to and helping them address their priority issues.”

Among other things the WFA is a lobbying organisation and it makes sense to pick its presidents from the ranks of drinks marketers. There is a continuing rumble of blood-curdling threats against all aspects of alcohol promotion, not least in the UK where the medical establishment is currently engaged in yet another attempt to ban it all.