• January 28, 2009

Crown Imports, LLC, whose portfolio includes Mexican Cerveza brands Corona, Modelo, Pacifico and Negra Modelo as well as St. Pauli Girl and Tsingtao, has tapped Jim Sabia as EVP/marketing to oversee the beer portfolio.

Most recently, Sabia was responsible for the repositioning of Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey and developing new creative for Effen Vodka and Ridgemont Reserve 1792 Bourbon at Constellation Sprits. He also handled a joint venture with country star Kenny Chesney (whose tour is sponsored by Corona Extra) to develop and market a new premium rum brand.

Prior to Constellation Spirits, Sabia was VP/marketing and media at Molson Coors, handling U.S. marketing of Coors Light and Coors Banquet. He also led the development and introduction of the Blue Moon brand.--Karl Greenberg