RCGA Names Don Meyer New Chief Marketing Officer

ST. LOUIS, March 9 /PRNewswire/ — The St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA) has named Donald G. Meyer, former director of international marketing at Anheuser-Busch, Inc., as its chief marketing officer/vice president, marketing and communications.

Meyer, 52, spent 24 years in marketing at Anheuser-Busch, as senior brand manager of the Michelob family of beers and then of Budweiser before becoming director of geographic marketing, director of new products, and director of international marketing.

“Having someone of Don’s capabilities in this role will benefit the RCGA and the whole region,” said Robert A. Reynolds Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar Electric Co. and chairman of the RCGA’s board. “His credentials for this job are truly unmatched.”

“We have been searching for the right person for this key position for more than a year, and we are extremely pleased to have Don join our team,” said Richard C.D. Fleming, president and chief executive officer of the RCGA. “Don comes to RCGA from a long and distinguished marketing career at the company that sets the bar worldwide in branding and marketing excellence. He brings an important added dimension to our senior team.”

“I am thrilled to be given this opportunity,” Meyer said. “As a St. Louisan, I am looking forward to applying my skills to the promotion and advancement of the region.”

In his new position, Meyer will be in charge of strategy and execution of the marketing and branding of the RCGA and all its programs on behalf of the region. Those programs include the organization’s economic development campaign, now in its fifth year, and the “St. Louis: Perfectly Centered, Remarkably Connected” regional economic development tagline, which was launched in 2006. He will help develop a sharper understanding of the perception of the region among various regional, national and international audiences, and of RCGA members’ needs for programs and services.

As senior brand manager for Budweiser, Meyer helped develop and execute an annual direct marketing program for Anheuser-Busch’s flagship brand. As director of geographic marketing, he led the annual planning process in the top U.S. markets and Puerto Rico. As director of new products, his team launched Budweiser Select, which grew total Budweiser family sales in an overall flat domestic market. And as director of international marketing, he introduced Anheuser-Busch brands to the world market, executing comprehensive business plans in Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe and Asia.

Before joining Anheuser-Busch, Meyer spent six years at Ozark Air Lines in a variety of marketing positions, including a period as the airline’s advertising manager.

Meyer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

St. Louis-based DHR International managed the year-long local and national search.

The RCGA is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the 16-county, bi-state region. The mission of the RCGA is to unite the region’s business community, and to engage dynamic business and civic leadership to develop and sustain a world-class economy and community.

SOURCE St. Louis RCGA