Technically no - I did the research and the marketing people decided how to implement the findings. But it was always a concept intended for export -like how many "Pizza Hut Italian Pizzerias" are there in Italy anyway? I was amused to find them ordering vast quantities of specially aged "antiques" and "memorabilia" to furnish all their Irish themed pubs abroad.

Guinness does not own a significant estate of Pubs in Ireland and Irish pub owners are notoriously independent and resentful of Guinness as a near monopoly supplier. (It's a V. long story). So they were always, understandably, anxious to diversify beyond Guinness group products, and wouldn't take too much advice on how to furnish their establishments unless Guinness was offering merchandise and equipment for free.

No doubt today's marketeers are studying how they can create a chain of "free", "independent", "real" ale pubs world-wide...

Index of Frank's Diaries