CAMDEN, N.J. — Denise M. Morrison, one-time top executive at Nabisco, has been named executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Campbell Soup Co., effective Oct. 1, 2010, in anticipation of her election to succeed Douglas R. Conant as chief executive officer of Campbell Soup Co. at the beginning of fiscal 2012. Mr. Conant on Sept. 28 announced his intent to step down from his role as president and c.e.o. at the end of Campbell’s fiscal year on July 31, 2011.
Ms. Morrison has 35 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry and joined Campbell in April 2003 as chief customer officer. She was named president of Campbell U.S.A. in 2005 and has been president of North America Soup, Sauces and Beverages since October 2007. Businesses in the North America Soup, Sauces and Beverages division, the International division and Pepperidge Farm will report directly to Ms. Morrison, and other corporate functions will continue to report to Mr. Conant.
Prior to joining Campbell Soup, Ms. Morrison was with Kraft Foods Inc. and Nabisco from 1995 to 2003, serving most recently as executive vice-president and general manager of Kraft Foods’ Snacks and Confections divisions. Earlier, she held senior marketing and sales positions at Nestle USA, PepsiCo, Inc. and Procter & Gamble.
“I am honored to have been selected by the board to lead Campbell’s business,” Ms. Morrison said. “I look forward to accelerating the growth of our great brands, capitalizing on our global opportunities and building on our people’s engagement to reach their potential for high performance.”
Ms. Morrison received a bachelor’s degree in economics and psychology at Boston College.
Mark Alexander, currently senior vice-president and chief customer officer, will become president of Campbell International. Mr. Alexander joined Campbell in 1989, and has held marketing, sales and management roles in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Hong Kong. He was president of Asia-Pacific from 2006 to 2009.
Irene Change Britt, currently president of North America Foodservice, will become senior vice-president — chief strategy officer. Ms. Britt also will be responsible for global marketing services and global consumer and customer insights. She joined Campbell in 2005 as general manager of Sauces and Beverages and named to her present role in December 2008. Before joining Campbell she was senior vice-president and general manager of the Post cereal division of Kraft Foods Inc.
Pat Callaghan, president of Pepperidge Farm, and George Dowdie, senior vice-president of Global R.&D. and Quality, will remain in their current roles, Campbell said.