A2 appoints its first CMO to drive global brand strategy

Premium milk producer, A2 Corporation, has appointed former Campbell Arnott’s marketing leader, Susan Massasso, as its first chief marketing officer.

Massasso will report directly to MD and CEO, Geoff Babidge, and will help drive the globalisation and growth plans at A2. In a statement, the company said a key priority is to further develop its intellectual property (IP) and take a consistent and elevated approach to building an engaging A2 brand story worldwide.

Babidge told CMO the new role will have overall responsibility for IP and work alongside the leadership team on a wider brief of responsibilities incorporating all marketing efforts. A2 Corporation currently has eight people involved in marketing and brand IP across its three business units, Australia, China and the UK, and these will be retained.

“There are a number of tasks being performed in our three business units, which Susan will take on and which will allow us to take a more strategic view of our brand,” Babidge said. “Susan was an outstanding candidate both in terms of her qualifications and skill set in marketing, brand development and business building.”

Massasso was most recently Asia-Pacific marketing director of Campbell Arnott’s and has held a range of senior leadership roles including marketing director at Arnott’s ANZ, as well as marketing director and general manager at Campbell’s ANZ. She also spent many years at Unilever holding marketing, logistics and insight roles.

Massasso commences her new role on 23 September.

A2 Corporation is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and generated annual sales of NX$62.5m in the 2012 financial year. The business underwent a strategic review in April last year and according to its October findings, plans to further develop its A2 branded dairy products portfolio, expand its infant products offerings in China, enter new international markets, and invest in additional processing capabilities in Australia and New Zealand.

It also flagged intentions to enter new product categories including yoghurt and UHT milk. The company claims its A2 milk is a $50m premium brand in Australia.

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