A 37 year international business veteran, Pat has earned reputations as both a globally innovative brand builder and an innovative marketing powerhouse – renowned for his ability to expand into new (geographic, demographic and psychographic) markets. As Director of Marketing at Coca-Cola, he was responsible for the launch of Diet Coke. While at Coca-Cola he also served as President of eleven countries, (Southeast and West Asia). Garner also occupied key roles in product development, commercial management and manufacturing. As mentioned, Garner was part of the team responsible for managing the launch of the most valuable new brand in the company’s history, Diet Coke, Diet Coke was named ‘Brand of the Decade’ by Advertising Age. While SVP of Marketing – Coca Cola Japan, Garner launched numerous other innovative new products/brands functioning as models for the company’s worldwide beverage portfolio (Coffees, Teas, Juices, Sports & Energy Drinks, Water, and etcetera. As President of Coca-Cola Asia, Garner also acquired significant local knowledge of manufacturing and bottling.
Outside the beverage industry, Garner has held executive positions: Nextel Communications (SVP of Consumer Marketing, and The Motley Fool (CEO). Garner successfully launched Nextel’s first ‘pre-paid’ wireless service – Boost Mobile, an edgy, youth-oriented brand and pilot marketed in California. As SVP of Nextel Communications, Pat championed Nextel’s focus on new consumer segments, which resulted in consumer sales increases of (+53%) and accounted for (38%) of Nextel’s total new subscriber growth.