Coca-Cola Company senior vice president, marketing and innovation, venturing and emerging brands Rebecca Messina is to join spirit maker Beam Suntory as its new senior vice president and global chief marketing officer.

Messina, who will start officially on 25 April, will serve on the company’s executive leadership team and report to chairman and chief executive officer Matt Shattock.

At the climax of her 22 year career with Coca-Cola, she was responsible for leading brand strategy and growth for the company’s portfolio of emerging brands, with previous experience in marketing leadership roles in the Unites States, Europe, Oceania and South America.

“Rebecca is a dynamic, growth-oriented leader,” said Beam Suntory chairman and chief executive officer Matt Shattock. “We’re delighted that she will join Beam Suntory to lead our global marketing and strengthen the function to deliver industry-leading, market-beating growth.

“With experience as a global brand marketer, leader of fast-growing entrepreneurial premium brands and a leading developer of marketing capability, Rebecca will be a perfect fit for us as we pursue our ambitious growth objectives.”

Messina’s move comes as Coca-Cola makes changes to its leadership team in the US, following the departure of president of sparkling brands and strategic marketing Wendy Clark, who joining DDB Worldwide as president and chief executive officer in December 2015. The soft drinks firm created a new USA Operations division to oversee her role.