MasterCard gets regional marketing lead

MasterCard has appointed Sam Ahmed as group head, marketing, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.Based in Singapore, Ahmed will be responsible for the management of the region’s marketing teams. He will also oversee the development of strategies and campaigns for MasterCard’s advertising, sponsorships, promotions, as well as digital and consumer marketing initiatives across APMEA.Most recently, Ahmed served as vice president, marketing and category at Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific. He was a key member of the Starbucks Asia Pacific leadership team, which oversaw more than 1,600 stores across 14 markets.Prior to Starbucks, he served on Kraft Foods’ global beverage team as director of the beverages division, Asia Pacific, where he managed the regional beverage executive team and led the growth in both market share and regional sales of various Asia Pacific beverage brands. Ahmed was also at Fonterra Brands where he served for five years as global brand director for Fonterra’s nutritional brands.T.V. Seshadri, group executive, global products and solutions, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard said: “Given his extensive experience Ahmed is well-placed to drive the growth of the MasterCard brand.”