Germany: Bitburger Brauerei appoints marketing and sales head Peter Rikowski to the post of management spokesman

Bitburger Brauerei, the German drinks company, is to promote its marketing and sales head, Peter Rikowski, to the newly created post of management spokesman of its beer division, The Financial Times Deutschland posted June 21.

Together with Alfred Muller, responsible for finance, and Jan Niewodniczanski, to be responsible for technical areas, Mr Rikowski will, in future, manage the group's operative brewery business, its main area of activity, which generates turnover of almost EUR700 million. Axel Simon will remain as head of the group holding, which also comprises the Gerolsteiner mineral water brand.

Peter Rikowski has led negotiations with US rival Anheuser Busch and with the international football association FIFA regarding beer sales and advertising at this year's football World Cup. Apart from the Bitburger brand, the company also produces the Konig, Kostritzer, Licher and Wernesgruner brands.