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Chuck Fruit announced he Will Step Down from his position as chief marketing officer at The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, at the beginning of next year, and will take on a more advisory role... Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Deerfield, Ill., has named Jim Clerkin senior vice president and president of the company’s North American spirits business. Clerkin previously served as president of Allied Domecq Spirits North America. Chris Swonger has become senior vice president of corporate affairs, responsible for promoting and representing the company’s global interests on public policy and industry trade relations... Ken Kunze has been selected as vice president of marketing at Heineken USA, White Plains, N.Y. He fills the position left by Steve Davis’ departure in July. The company also has named Chris Steffanci general manager of the central region, responsible for metropolitan areas such as Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis. Steffanci will be based in Oak Brook, Ill... Nationwide Beverage Bottling Corp., Corona, Calif., has tapped Frank Chessman as chief operating officer. Chessman joined the company in 2004 as vice president of sales and marketing... Izze Beverage Co., Boulder, Colo., has selected Maile Buker as vice president of marketing, overseeing brand development, public relations, event marketing, product placement and consumer relations.