Dive Brief:

• Former Heinz executive Christopher Warmoth has been appointed to head Carlsberg's Asia business.
• The Danish brewer is working to grab a bigger share of fast-growing Asian market to make up for weak sales resulting from western Europe's recession and string of poor weather.
• Asia makes up 20% of the brewer's revenue and sales were up 10% in the previous quarter, though the third-quarter earnings reported tomorrow are expected to show a decline in revenue and profit.

Dive Insight:

The appointment of Warmoth a day before the third-quarter earnings report is likely meant to soften the blow of the declines Carlsberg is expected to report. Still, Carlsberg will have some stiff competition grabbing a larger share of the Asian market, as AB InBev, SABMiller and Heineken are also banking on the region's growing middle classes to counter slow sales.