MillerCoors, the Chicago-based competitor to Anheuser-Busch, has hired a soft drink executive to lead the company’s Coors Light and Coors Banquet brands. (Hat tip to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, story here.)

Rick Gomez most recently worked at PepsiCo as vice president of marketing waters, enhanced waters and juices, including brands such as Propel, Sobe, Aquafina, Dole, Ocean Spray and Tropicana.

Coors Light is doing very well these days, thanks partly to a consistent and patient marketing campaign built around the “cold” theme. MillerCoors needs the brand to continue to rock to make up for weakness among some Miller brands such as Miller Lite. We’ll soon see what Gomez has in store.

Andy England, chief marketing officer for MillerCoors, said that to win in the beer market, the company had to win in the “premium light” segment.

“That means returning Miller Lite to volume and share growth, building on the strong start for MGD 64 and accelerating the momentum on Coors Light,” England said in a memo.

Reporter’s note: You can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/stljmac. Also, we will be on CNBC Reports tonight at 7:10 St. Louis time (8:10 Eastern time) to discuss Steve Jobs, automotive marketing, taxes and whatever else comes to mind.