Unilever ditches dual marketing director role
Unilever’s dual marketing directors in Australia & New Zealand are departing the FMCG giant causing a shake up in the marketing department.
Andrea Martens and Hugo Verkuil unusually took joint ownership of marketing after Peter Boone left in February 2013 with the company saying at the time the dual appointment was a “reflection on the overall accountability for business results that we place on the marketing function.”
However it appears their positions will now be consolidated back to one chief marketing officer role, who will be in charge of one of the largest marketing spends in Australia.
VP of marketing for home and personal care marketing Martens is leaving to take up a new role as chief brand officer at Jurlique, while VP of foods and refreshments Hugo Verkuil will be leaving the ANZ business to take a career break with his family, before what the company said was “his next assignment with Unilever”, which he has worked for for the last decade.
Clive Stiff, chairman and CEO Unilever ANZ said in a statement: “Together Andrea and Hugo have built a strong marketing function, embedding purpose in our brands as we work to double the size of our business globally while reducing our environmental impact and increasing our positive social impact.
“They leave us with a solid structure and capability in place. Andrea and Hugo’s expertise, passion and commitment have been instrumental in driving sustainable growth for our business in recent years. We wish them the very best for their next moves.”
Both Martens and Verkuil will remain in their roles until early next year.
Unilever has not yet named who will fill the new CMO role.
Nic Christensen
Ice-cream, hand cream whatever, you’ll be all over it Andrea. All the best.
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Hi Andrea! All the best in your next role! Regards Judith
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