NBTY, Inc. has appointed Sonya Soutus as its senior vice-president of Public Affairs and Communications. In this position, she will provide strategic leadership in the creation and implementation of world-class communications, government relations and stakeholder initiatives for the global leader in vitamins, nutritional supplements and sports nutrition.
With more than 25 years of broad-based public affairs and communications experience, Sonya has held roles of increasing responsibility throughout Coca-Cola’s international business. Most recently, she acted as senior vice-president of Public Affairs and Communications for Coca-Cola in North America. (http://rxreviewz.com/)
Prior to her tenure at Coca-Cola, she worked as the account group director at Burson Marsteller in the Ukraine, where she lead the country’s projects for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She has also held a number of posts within various major media organizations, including KDKA-TV/Westinghouse Broadcasting Corporation in Pittsburgh. Internationally, she has served as press secretary for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rome, Italy.
At NBTY, Sonya will be responsible for developing broad, integrated internal and external programs that will strengthen the brand’s interactions with key stakeholders. Moreover, she will promote, protect and enhance the brand’s reputation as the pre-eminent global leader in wellness products.
Additionally, Sonya will be instrumental in handling relevant industry issues and public policy, as well as guiding the company through its current and projected stages of significant growth.
“As we strive to establish NBTY as the unequivocal global leader in wellness products, we felt it was critical to implement an all-encompassing public affairs and communications strategy that impacts every company stakeholder—from media, government agencies and officials to our consumers,” says Steve Cahillane, the company’s president and CEO. “Sonya is a consummate professional and highly-capable leader who possesses enormous knowledge, insight and integrity. We welcome her to the NBTY team.”
Sonya will begin her new role immediately and will be based out of Ronkonkoma, NY.
