National CineMedia Inc. Names Andrew England CEO And Director, Scott Schneider Chairman
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
National CineMedia Inc., the Centennial, Colorado-based managing member and owner of 44% of National CineMedia LLC, operator of the largest in-theatre digital media network in North America, today (Jan. 4/16) announced the appointment of Andrew England, former executive vice-president and chief marketing officer of MillerCoors LLC., as CEO and director, effective immediately.
Concurrent with this appointment, Scott Schneider, the company’s lead director, has been appointed chairman of the Board. Kurt Hall, retiring chairman, CEO and president, will serve as an advisor to the Board and CEO in a 24-month consulting role.
Andrew (‘Andy’) England is a highly accomplished executive with more than 25 years of experience in consumer-facing businesses. During his nearly 10-year tenure at MillerCoors, a $7.5 billion net revenue U.S. joint venture of Molson Coors Brewing Company and SAB Miller PLC, England built new brand architecture, led a 200-person marketing department, revamped the go-to-market strategy for classic brands such as Coors Light and Miller Lite, broadened the Company’s reach in social and digital media, and created sponsorship deals with major sports franchises that allowed MillerCoors to compete effectively in a rapidly fragmenting media marketplace.
Specifically, England was the architect of bold company strategies that led Coors Light to #2 share brand in its category, overtaking Budweiser. He also significantly increased innovation resources that resulted in substantially increased higher-end share in multiple new brands (including the very successful launch of Redd’s Apple Ale), and drove multiple strategic plans that exceeded EBITA goals every year. In addition, England’s success operating through a three-tier system and driving growth through distributor networks will be particularly relevant as NCM continues to expand its theatre circuit network.
“The Board conducted an extensive and strategic search process to identify the right person to build on NCM’s past success and take advantage of the unprecedented growth opportunities that lie ahead for the Company – Andy is that person,” says Schneider. “Andy is a proven leader with significant media and marketing expertise and a deep understanding of the changes that are taking place in the media marketplace and the opportunities they present for NCM. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an impressive ability to grow brand share, set innovative strategies and drive profitable growth. I am confident that under his leadership, NCM will continue to improve its value proposition to marketers and enhance its market position to drive value for our shareholders, employees and affiliated theatres.”
Speaking of his joining ”one of the strongest millennial networks in the country at a time when the entire video landscape is shifting and brands are seeking stronger and more secure video solutions,” England says, “NCM is one of America’s premier 18-49 video networks and is highly regarded as the largest cinema digital distribution network with a strong and expanding theatre circuit and advertising client relationship base. I look forward to working with NCM’s exceptionally talented team and our theatre circuit network partners to build upon the Company’s strong foundation and accelerate its success for years to come.”
On behalf of NCM and the Board of Directors, Schneider thanked Hall for his many years of dedication and contributions to the Company as one of its original founders.
“We wish him well in his future endeavors and look forward to benefitting from his expertise as a consultant to the Company,” says Schneider.
England has an impressive background. From 2010 to 2015, As EVP and CMO of MillerCoors LLC, he also held the titles of chairman of the strategy committee and co-chair of the operating committee, leading strategic development and managing the company’s marketing, strategy and planning functions. He built digital and entertainment marketing capabilities for the company that led to multiple new platforms through partnerships with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo!, Yelp, Twentieth Century Fox, and more. He also delivered critical new sponsorship deals with multiple colleges and sports teams across the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS and NHL.
From 2008 to 2010, England served as the first chief marketing officer of the newly formed MillerCoors. He was responsible for the profitable growth of the business, which he delivered through growing the Company’s share in the beer category, creating a new marketing department and substantially over-delivering planned marketing synergies.Prior to joining MillerCoors, he was CMO of Coors Brewing Company from 2006 to 2008 where he delivered successive best years ever for Coors Light, drove double-digit volume growth for Keystone Light, and quadrupled the size of the Blue Moon franchise.
From 2002 to 2006, he held a number of executive positions including vice-president of international marketing and strategy, and vice-president and general manager of the snacks division at The Hershey Company. Previously, he held various positions with Opentable Inc., Nabisco Holdings Inc., and Cadbury Schweppes P.L.C.
England also served on the Board of the Association of National Advertisers until the end of 2015 and was a Board member of the Advertising Council Inc. from 2009 to 2015.
Schneider has been on the company’s Board of Directors since February, 2007. He has provided financial consulting and advisory services to the communications industry since 2009. He also has over 35 years of experience in the media, telecom and technology industries, serving in various senior executive capacities with Century Communications Corp. (cable television); Centennial Communications Corp. (cellular / wireless); Frontier Communications Corp. (wireline telephone); and Electric Lightwave (digital bypass). In addition to having been a member of the Board of each, Schneider also served on the Boards of NuSkies LLC and Bonten Media Group. Schneider also served as chairman of the media group at Diamond Castle Holdings, a private equity firm.
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