Unilever gets a new chief marketing officer for A/NZ

John Broome

Unilever has appointed its first sole chief marketing officer in three years, bringing in former Kellogg marketing director, John Broome to head up its Australian and New Zealand marketing efforts.

The decision comes just over a month after the company announced its joint marketing leaders, former food and home division chief, Hugo Verkuil and former personal care chief, Andrea Martens, were leaving their posts for new professional opportunities. The pair were the lead marketing directors as well as managing directors of their respective divisions since 2013.

Broome commences his new role as VP and CMO on 15 February and will lead Unilever's marketing function in A/NZ. He also joins the Unilever A/NZ leadership team.

"John's extensive local and global experience in FMCG marketing and his passion for building brands with prupose will be instrumental as we continue to drive sustainable growth in Australia and New Zealand," said Unilever's local chairman and CEO, Clive Stiff, in a statement.

Broome left Kellogg abruptly in late October following a restructure of the FMCG company's marketing and insights function. He joined Kellogg as marketing director in July 2012. His resume includes senior marketing positions with Goodman Fielder, Reckitt Benckiser and Nestle Australia.

Verkuil and Martens made independent decisions to move on to new opportunities from 2016. Verkuil is taking up a new position in the global Unilever business, while Martens takes up her new role as brand chief at Jurlique in the New Year.

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