This week’s executive moves include Unilever’s famous CMO heading for retirement, Rivian hires a prominent first marketing chief, Friendly’s creates a chief brand officer position, the first CMO for Reserve, Banc of California Stadium’s first vice president of marketing, World Rugby’s first chief marketing officer, Tech21 promotes its marketing director to CEO, GSMA appoints a new chair and Protective Life Corporation appoints an SVP and CMO
Check out our careers section for executive job openings and to post your own staffing needs.
Daily Mirror Appoints CMO
Jo Bacon has joined Daily Mirror as chief marketing officer. She switches to this new role from WPP, where she was the client lead for IAG Airlines and oversaw marketing campaigns for Ogilvy, Wavemaker and Hill and Knowlton.
Prior to that, Bacon led marketing efforts at Viacom Channel 5 and MTV. She also held previous roles at DDB and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Unilever CMO Announces Retirement
Keith Weed, Unilever’s renowned chief marketing and communications officer, will retire in May 2019, he announced via Twitter. He has been with the company for 35 years.
Weed has been an outspoken advocate for marketing reform, calling on social media giants and CMOs alike to create higher standards. Unilever spent over $9 billion in advertising last year alone, and Weed used the company’s spending power to demand change. During the Interactive Advertising Bureau conference, Keith Weed challenged social media giants to “collectively rebuild trust back into our systems and our society.” 2018, he said, would be the year when social media must win Unilever’s trust back.
Although retiring, Weed says he plans to remain active in the industry and push for change.
Wow! Where did the last 35 years go? Time has flown. I’ve had the pleasure of working with super people in Unilever & beyond. It’s with a happy and heavy heart that I’ve decided to retire from Unilever in April It’s been over a year in planning with exciting challenges 2 follow pic.twitter.com/IMcuyBNMkN
— Keith Weed (@keithweed) December 6, 2018
El Pollo Loco CMO Resurfaces As FIC Brand Officer
Ed Valle has joined Friendly’s parent company FIC Restaurants as chief brand officer, a new role for the company. Valle abruptly left his role as CMO of El Pollo Loco after seven years. Prior to his time at El Pollo Loco, Valle served as chief marketing strategist for Choice Hotels International and helped lead marketing efforts at Panera and Dunkin’.
“I know firsthand how effective Ed can be with turning a brand around, and as someone with a similar background I feel confident that we will join forces to reestablish Friendly’s position in the dining space,” FIC Restaurants’ interim CEO George Michel said in a statement.
Magic Leap CMO Steps Down
Brenda Freeman has stepped back into an advisory role for the augmented reality startup, according to TechCrunch. She will take on a new role as Special Projects Advisor, reporting to the CEO.
Cresco Labs Assembles Marketing Team With PepsiCo Veterans
Cannabis operator Cresco Labs has appointed Cory Rothschild to the role of vice president, brand marketing. Rothschild was formerly the director of consumer engagement at PepsiCo for Gatorade.
Cris Rivera has been named vice president of consumer experience. Rivera most recently served as senior director of marketing for MillerCoors. Prior to that, Rivara began his career in consumer packaged goods at PepsiCo, working in innovation, retail marketing and communications for Tropicana Juices.
Zoopla Names Chief Marketing Officer
Gary Bramall has joined property brand Zoopla as chief marketing officer. Bramall most recently served as chief marketing officer at myTaxi, managing its rebrand from Hailo. His experience also includes several senior marketing roles at Microsoft, Skype, Apple and Orange.
AmaWaterways Welcomes New CMO
AmaWaterways has appointed Janet Bava to the position of chief marketing officer. Bava most recently served as vice president of marketing for Silversea Cruises. Other experience includes director of customer engagement and customer relationship management for NBCUniversal and manager of direct marketing and customer experience communications for Royal Caribbean.
SB Projects Names VP, Marketing/Promotion
SB Projects has appointed Tony Bracy as vice president of marketing and promotions. Bracy joins the media company from Capitol Records, where he was West Coast regional promotion director. He is credited with working hit songs by Katy Perry, Niall Horan, Tori Kelly and others.
In his new role, Bracy will oversee all radio promotion, streaming and marketing initiatives for SB Projects clients, to include Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Zac Brown Band and Tori Kelly.
The Co-operators Names EVP, Digital Marketing Chief
Canadian insurance co-op The Co-operators has named Emmie Fukuchi as executive vice president and chief digital and marketing officer. Fukuchi most recently served as senior vice president of customer experience and marketing at Great-West Lifeco. Prior to that role, she was vice president of marketing innovation, digital and product development for LoyaltyOne.
In her new role, Fukuchi will oversee The Co-operators brand and lead the continuing development of digital capabilities.
AMG/Parade Promotes For VP, Integrated Marketing
Publisher AMG/Parade has promoted Monique Kakar to vice president of integrated marketing. Kakar previously served as senior marketing director. Prior to joining AMG/Parade in 2015, she spent several years at Rodale, Inc., where she helped rebrand and reinvent Prevention and Prevention.com, as well as help launch Eatclean.com. Previously, Corrine worked at American Media, Inc., where she developed marketing programs for Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health.
Based in New York, she will work closely with the Digital Ad Operations team to develop new program ideas.
Church’s Chicken Appoints VP, Digital Marketing
Alan Magee is Church’s Chicken new vice-president of digital marketing and technology. Magee joins the brand from Moe’s Southwest Grill, where he served as senior director of brand marketing. Throughout his career, Magee has held a number of brand marketing and leadership for Arby’s Restaurant Group, InterContinental Hotels Group and Grey Worldwide Atlanta.
In this new role, Magee will lead all marketing efforts for the company and its agency partners, while implementing non-traditional and emerging digitals media and technology.
BMG Names Executive Marketing VPs For L.A., NYC
Effective January 1, BMG is restructuring its US business into three distinct units. In Los Angeles, Thomas Scherer will serve as its new executive vice president of repertoire and marketing. A 30-year music industry veteran, Scherer joined the music publisher in 2008 as one of the original Berlin employees. He most recently served as EVP of US publishing and global writer services, China.
John Loeffler, meanwhile, will run the New York office as executive vice president of repertoire and marketing.
Droga5 Marketing Chief Becomes First CMO For Rivian
Electric automaker startup Rivian has appointed Chris Wollen as its first chief marketing officer beginning in 2019. Wollen is currently the CMO for Droga5, where he has worked for nearly six years. The news comes from an inside source familiar with the matter and was reported by Agency Spy.
Prior to Droga5, Wollen worked at Barbarian Group, Grey Group and BBH New York.
Reserve Names First Marketing Chief
Digital currency company Reserve has appointed Robb Hershaw as its first chief marketing officer. Hershaw joins the brand from Cisco, where he served as head of global communications for the IoT business unit. He brings well over a decade of marketing and communications experience to Reserve and has held a number of related positions at brands like Proxim Wireless, SugarSync and inPowered.
Henshaw’s new responsibilities include managing Reserve’s marketing strategy, content marketing, PR, comms, social, public engagement and growth marketing.
Banc Of California Stadium Appoints Marketing VP
Cory Gadbury has joined Banc of California Stadium (BACS) as its first vice president of marketing. She joins the company from Live Nation, where she served as senior director of marketing for 15 years and worked on more than 1,200 concerts and events.
As marketing VP, Gadbury will oversee all marketing and advertising operations for the concert and non-MLS sports events at BACS Stadium, L.A. Coliseum and BOCS Grounds in Exposition Park.
Speaking on the hire, Adam Friedman, president of BOCS: “Cori’s unparalleled experience and proven track record in building brands and marketing a wide range of diverse live entertainment events across Southern California make her the ideal choice for leading our marketing efforts…”
World Rugby Appoints First CMO
Marissa Pace will become World Rugby’s first chief marketing officer in mid-January. Pace joins the newly formed marketing department from her own consulting firm and prior to that, head of digital media at Formula One.
In this new role, Pace will be responsible for World Rugby’s fan engagement and marketing strategies.
Speaking on the hire, World Rugby’s chief executive Brett Gosper said: “Marissa’s excellent track record in major brand, sport digital marketing strategy development and execution aligns perfectly with our continued mission…
Kopari Names Chief Marketing Officer
Jeremy Lowenstein has joined coconut oil brand Kopari as CMO. Lowenstein joins the brand from Coty, where he spent the last 11 years in a variety of global marketing roles. He also spent five years at Aveda, where he served as assistant global marketing director.
Former KFC Marketing Head Joins Shaftesbury As Non-Executive Director
Shaftesbury PLC has added Jennelle Tilling to its team as a non-executive director beginning in January 2019.
Tilling spent over 17 years working for Yum! Restaurants International in a variety of senior marketing roles for KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell brands. She also serves as a non-executive director with Camelot Group, the operator of the UK National Lottery.
BBC Studios Names Marketing Head, Customer Marketing Director
Sarah Brandist has been appointed as head of marketing for independent productions at BBC Studios, the company announced Tuesday. In this new role, Brandist will develop strategy for global brand and content.
BBC Studios also named Reece Littlejohn as director of customer marketing. He will put “customer central to the content company’s plans and activity.”
ConsumerMedical Names Marketing SVP
Heather Smiley has joined ConsumerMedical as senior vice president of marketing. Her marketing experience includes consultation and leadership for Fortune 500 companies including both MassMutual and Fidelity Investments.
In her new role, Smiley will focus on driving results through all channels including advertising, public relations, communications, sales and service enablement, and innovative digital assets and campaigns.
Tech21 Promotes Marketing Director To CEO
Mobile phone case manufacturer Tech21 has named Colin Woodward as its new CEO. Woodward joined Tech21 in 2015, where he held a number of roles including CMO and global marketing director. Woodward brings over 20 years experience in the technology industry to his new position as CEO that includes marketing, sales and brand strategy for companies like Sony and HTC.
GSMA Names New Chair
Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association (GSMA) has added Orange CEO Stéphane Richard the position of chairman. He will be responsible for overseeing strategic direction for the mobile industry.
Protective Life Corp Names SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
Chris Moschner has joined Protective Life Corporation as senior vice president and chief marketing officer effective November 30. Moschner joins Protective from Brighthouse Financial, where he was responsible for developing and executing marketing strategy across the multi-billion-dollar life insurance and annuity product portfolio. There, he is credited with playing a key role in the transition from the MetLife to Brighthouse brand.
Editor’s Note: Our weekly careers post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, December 7. Have a new hire tip? We’re looking for senior executive role changes in marketing and media. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.
Job Vacancies
| Executive Director, Chief Marketing Officer | Lenovo | Chicago, IL |
| Global Head (CMO) of Print Marketing | HP | Palo Alto, CA |
| VP, Digital Marketing | Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. | Union, NJ |
| VP, Brand Marketing | Aéropostale | Lyndhurst, NJ |
| Head of Integrated Marketing, Fire TV | Amazon | Seattle, WA |
| Head of Performance Marketing Strategy | Uber | San Francisco, CA |
Make sure to check back for updates on our Careers page.