Former Procter & Gamble Co. executive Peter McDonough has been named a director of Empower Clinics Inc., an owner and operator of medical marijuana clinics.
McDonough, who most recently was president of Diageo North America, rose to be a vice president of European marketing within P&G’s Gillette razor division during a 15-year career with the Cincinnati-based maker of consumer goods.
From 2004 to 2006, he oversaw the Duracell battery and Braun appliance brands for the European region, which generated $1.4 billion in annual sales for P&G.
Empower Inc. operates a network of physician-staffed medical cannabis clinics in the United States, including locations in Chicago, Oregon and the state of Washington. The firm seeks to create a leading brand of products and services that enable patients to more effectively and affordably address areas such as chronic pain, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions.
“Building a respected medical cannabis business requires an understanding of consumer motivations related to cannabis and its role in improving a patient’s health and well-being,” McDonough said.
“As the benefits of medical cannabis become clearer, Empower is uniquely positioned to advance treatment in many important areas and build brand leadership based on best-in-class care for our patients,” McDonough added. “As a board member, I’m excited to work with Empower to ensure our products lead the way in serving patients and position the organization among the industry’s most admired companies.”
McDonough was vice president of North American marketing for Gillette from 2000 to 2002, directing major new product launches such as Venus razors for women. He joined Gillette in 1985 and held various management roles through 1990. After a four-year stint as director of North American marketing for Black & Decker Power Tool Co., he rejoined Gillette in 1994.
He left P&G in 2006 to join Diageo North America. In 2015, McDonough completed his tenure as president, chief marketing officer and chief innovation officer for Diageo North America, where his portfolio included the top two largest spirits brands in the world, Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka, as well as 20 of the world’s top 100 spirits brands.
McDonough has experience relevant to Empower as he currently serves on the advisory board of Viridian Capital Advisors, a financial advisory firm dedicated to the cannabis industry.
“Peter McDonough brings Empower a strong base of expertise in building and managing global brands, along with a current and direct understanding of the medical cannabis market,” said Craig Snyder, CEO of Empower. “As we look to rapidly expand Empower’s brand and value proposition throughout North America and beyond, Peter’s experience will be invaluable to our board and to the entire company.”
