JTI Korea has announced the appointment of Irina Lee as its new president. Originally from Kazakhstan, Irina began her career in marketing and sales in 1999 within the global supply chain department in Kazakhstan. She was later appointed brand manager for JTI Kazakhstan in 2009. In 2012, Irina moved to Serbia, where she took on the role of brand manager for the Adriatic cluster, eventually progressing to the position of portfolio strategy director.
In 2014, she oversaw the marketing department of JTI Kazakhstan as marketing director, later moving to the marketing and sales department (M&S) at the JTI headquarters (Geneva HQ), where she served as M&S innovation director in 2018 and as the 'WINS' brand director in 2021. Since last year, she has been working as vice president of marketing and sales, supporting some markets in Eastern Europe and the duty-free division.
With Irina Lee's appointment, JTI Korea plans to strengthen its portfolio by reflecting the evolving demands of adult smokers and introducing various cigarette and electronic cigarette new products.
Irina Lee, president of JTI Korea, said, "Drawing on my experience working in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and at headquarters, I aim to help JTI Korea expand its own footprint in the Korean tobacco market".