The rest of the 100: Deryck van Rensburg, president and general manager at Coca Cola
As president and general manager of venturing and emerging brands, Deryck van Rensburg has been in his corporate venturing role at US-based soft drinks company Coca-Cola North America for seven years. He has worked in the consumer product goods (CPG) industry for 26 years, first at Anglo-Dutch group Unilever and now at Coca-Cola. His role before his corporate venturing position was as president of the company’s Germany and Nordic division based in Berlin. He has an MBA from University of Bath.
What is the future of your sector?
Van Rensburg said: “Corporate venturing within technology-intensive industries has been around for some time. However, venturing with intangible assets such as brands is a relatively recent and exciting phenomenon. Although internal brand development and acquisition have been the predominant growth strategies adopted by CPGs, accessing innovative entrepreneurial brands through a venturing strategy provides interesting options and learning for incumbent corporations seeking to strengthen their brand portfolio.”
Van Rensburg said: “Corporate venturing within technology-intensive industries has been around for some time. However, venturing with intangible assets such as brands is a relatively recent and exciting phenomenon. Although internal brand development and acquisition have been the predominant growth strategies adopted by CPGs, accessing innovative entrepreneurial brands through a venturing strategy provides interesting options and learning for incumbent corporations seeking to strengthen their brand portfolio.”
