US: Boo Koo appoints former Cadbury men to board

Boo Koo Holdings has appointed former president of Snapple Distributors Jack Belsito as chairman.

The soft drinks group, which is soon to change its name to Performing Brands, said that, in addition, Mr Belsito will assume the CEO's position during the 2008 fourth quarter.

Joe Bayern, formerly chief strategy officer of Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages and currently a consultant to the company, will become the company's president in September.

Belsito replaces Gil Cassagne as chairman. Mr. Cassagne will remain a Director.

Belsito has more than 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry and most recently held the position of president, Snapple Distributors, Inc. for Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages where he also served as part of the executive board.

"I am excited to be taking on the additional responsibilities of chairman at a time when the company has unprecedented opportunities for growth," said Belsito. "We have a unique opportunity to build a leading consumer beverage company focused on health, wellness and functional benefit beverages."

Bayern most recently held the position of chief strategy officer of Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages where he also served as part of the executive board. Prior to his current position, Bayern served as the director of global strategy of Cadbury Schweppes in London.

"I look forward to helping build a leading consumer beverage company," added Bayern. "The opportunities in the health, wellness and functional beverage space have never been greater, and the experience that the management team has in building other brands positions it well to become a leader in this category."