This Week’s Exec Shifts: Warner Bros. Shuffles Marketing Roles; Pandora Appoints Marketing EVP

This week’s executive moves include Columbia Records promoting in-house for its marketing SVP position, marketing shakeups at Warner Bros. Pictures and a new brand marketing VP for Pandora. KP Snacks gets a new marketing director, Neutrik USA promotes for its first marketing director position, Houlihan’s shakes up the C-Suite, Celsius lands a beverage industry veteran to lead its marketing efforts and BetterUp finds a new CMO.

In addition, this week saw new responsibilities for Hulu’s marketing team, the exit of Jaguar Land Rover’s marketing head, a promotion inside Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Universal Music Group appoints a new EVP of consumer marketing. Milani chooses a CMO, Ducati creates a new marketing division, DHI finds a new chief marketing officer, Lendi appoints a CMO and Leverate places hope in its new marketing head. Also, Mercedes-Benz promotes a new marketing head and Forbidden Technologies shaking things up including its marketing department.

Check out our careers section for executive job openings and to post your own staffing needs.

Columbia Records Promotes For Digital Marketing SVP

Manos Xanthogeorgis, vice president of international digital for Columbia Records, has been promoted to senior vice president of digital marketing and media. In his new role, Xanthogeorgis will be responsible for developing and executing Columbia’s overall digital strategy including consumer engagement, social media, influencer and streaming marketing, as well as advertising on behalf of the label’s artists.

Speaking on the promotion, Columbia Records’ international executive vice president Jenifer Mallory said, “Manos has executed countless creative and impactful global digital campaigns for Sony Music signature artists around the world over the last few years. His strategic insight and acute understanding of the global digital and streaming landscape will be a tremendous asset to Columbia’s and label partners.”

Association of National Advertisers (ANA) Names Board of Directors

During its annual conference, ANA revealed a list of top marketing executives that have joined the association’s board of directors. Marc Pritchard, chief brand officer of Procter and Gamble, will remain chairman until the end of 2019. The new board members are:

• Norman de Greve, SVP and chief marketing officer, CVS Health
• John W. Dillon, SVP and chief marketing officer, Denny’s Corporation
• Pam El, EVP and chief marketing officer, NBA
• Rick Gomez, EVP and chief marketing officer, Target Corporation
• Keira Krausz, EVP and chief marketing officer, NutriSystem, Inc.
• Wes Laird, chief marketing officer, USAA
• Marcel Marcondes, US chief marketing officer, Anheuser-Busch InBev
• Michelle Peluso, SVP and chief marketing officer, IBM Corporation
• Elizabeth Rutledge, chief marketing officer, American Express Company
• Lilian Tomovich, chief experience and marketing Officer, MGM Resorts
• Matt VanDyke, director of US Marketing, Ford Motor Company
• Jocelyn Wong, chief marketing officer, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Warner Bros. Promotes For Marketing SVP

As part of a planned business restructure, Jack Walker has been promoted to senior vice president of media and digital marketing for Warner Bros.’ home entertainment division. Walker has been with the company since 2007 where he has developed marketing strategies across the studio’s online film and home releases.

Lynne Frank, president, international marketing and worldwide planning and operations for Warner Bros. Pictures, will be leaving the studio at the end of the year to pursue new professional opportunities.

Pandora Taps New Brand Marketing VP

Pandora has tapped financial industry veteran Brad Minor as its new vice president of brand marketing and communications. Minor most recently worked as managing director of brand, advertising and media at JP Morgan Chase, where he and his team launched the Chase Sapphire Card travel campaigns. Prior to that, he held several marketing executive roles for American Express.

In his new role, Minor will responsible for defining Pandora’s brand positioning to listeners and the industry together in addition to brand marketing, communications, experiential and managing social media teams.

Speaking on the new hire, Pandora CMO Aimée Lapic said: “Over the past decade, working with some of the most successful and well-known brands in the world, Brad has proven his ability to meaningfully engage multiple audiences through powerful storytelling that connects brand marketing, public relations, live events, and social media. By bringing all of these teams under Brad’s direction, we will ensure a clear and consistent voice across all of our brand touch points — maintaining and extending Pandora’s leadership position in our industry.”

Jaguar Landrover Loses Marketing Head Amid Restructure

As part of an internal restructuring that began in May, Jaguar Land Rover‘s global head of advertising, Ian Armstrong, has left the company. On LinkedIn, Armstrong has posted that work is an activity and not a destination and that at this time is he is “independently contemplating, advising & investing, you should try it.” Before working at Jaguar Land Rover, Armstrong held high-level marketing positions at Honda Motor Europe.

Universal Music Group Nabs NFL Exec For New SVP Consumer Marketing

Jaime Weston has been appointed to executive vice president of consumer marketing for Universal Music Group. Prior to her new role, Weston served as senior vice president of marketing for the National Football League (NFL), where she led the strategic direction and management of the NFL brand and league marketing efforts, including the NFL’s creative department, fan strategy, advertising, entertainment initiatives and brand management.

As SVP of consumer marketing for Universal Music Group, Weston will develop targeted marketing strategies to grow the global audience for the publisher’s artists across platforms, products and initiatives. In addition, Weston will develop a consumer engagement platform to drive insights and guide consumer marketing initiatives as well as provide UMG’s labels, business units and territories with invaluable consumer insights.

Speaking on the appointment, Dave Rocco, executive vice president of creative said: “With Jaime’s expertise and experience, there is enormous potential to build a stronger relationship with consumers, market directly to audiences around the world and position our artists for even greater success.”

Amer Sports Promotes For Digital Marketing Director

Arc’teryx, Salomon and Wilson Sporting Goods parent Amer Sports has promoted Megan Porteous to the position of digital marketing director, Americas effective November 1. Porteous joined the company in 2016 as digital marketing director. Prior to Amer Sports, she held various digital and sports marketing leadership positions with brands like Oakley and Designer Protein.

In her new position, Porteous will oversee the company’s portfolio-wide transformation as an omnichannel marketing organization in the Americas region.

Armin Boehm, VP commercial and marketing for the Americas commented: “Megan has a strong track record in designing strategic roadmaps and delivering outstanding results. She is well known in Amer Sports globally for being one of the trailblazers taking our organization to new levels of professionalism. She is also well known for her excellent collaboration skills and passion for our brands and consumers.”

Houlihan’s Restaurants Shakes Up Executive Suite

Restaurant brand Houlihans Restaurants, Inc. (HRI) has appointed new executive roles, including Bill Leibengood as chief marketing officer. Leibengood most recently was vice president of marketing for Wingstop Inc. and previously headed brand management at Applebee’s.

“Bill brings to us the expertise and track record of a successful CMO, along with the hands-on business experience of a seasoned marketing executive,” said Mike Archer, Houlihan’s Restaurant Inc.’s CEO, in a statement. “This strong combination of skills and experience will be an important addition to the HRI executive team and will support his success as CMO.”

Other appointments include Terry Harryman as chief financial officer and Chad Devorak as senior vice president of operations for the Houlihan’s brand.

Celsius Nabs Beverage Industry Veteran For Marketing EVP

Matt Kahn has been named executive vice president of marketing for energy drink brand Celsius. Kahn brings over 20 years of marketing experience to the new role, holding a variety of roles within the beverage industry including The Coca-Cola Co., Glacéau Vitaminwater, smartwater, Powerade and Heineken USA. He is credited for the successful launch of Powerade Zero.

Kahn was honored as a Top 40 Under 40 executive by Advertising Age and Johnnie Walker’s 35 Under 35 marketers.

BetterUp Appoints Chief Marketing Officer

Hulu Restructures Marketing Team

Hulu’s PR head Barrie Gruner has been given a new title and responsibilities. As vice president of originals marketing and publicity, Gruner will continue to oversee awards, talent relations and publicity in addition to marketing original programming for Hulu. Before joining Hulu, Gruner worked at Turner Broadcasting and Netflix.

In addition, vice president of content marketing Ryan Crosby will expand his responsibilities to include oversight of originals marketing, publicity content strategy, licensed and live marketing and on-channel marketing.

KP Snacks Hires Marketing Director

Kevin McNair has been appointed marketing director of KP Snacks, the parent company of McCoys, Hula Hoops, Tyrelles and others. He joins the team effective October 29.  He previously served as marketing director for Britvic, handling brands like J20 and the launch of R Whites. McNair’s career includes a number of marketing roles including those for Unilever and Whitbread.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Names New CMO

Michael Hobson, chief marketing officer for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will retire effective December 31. Jill Kluge, currently serving as group director of brand communications, will step into the CMO role upon his departure.

Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Kluge held a number of sales and marketing positions at international hotel brands in the UK and Asia.

“Jill has been instrumental in driving Mandarin Oriental’s strong brand recognition over the past 25 years,” said James Riley, group chief executive on the change. “I congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion, and wish her every success.”

Neutrik USA Promotes For First Marketing Director

Audio component brand Neutrik USA has appointed Janet Tufo as its first marketing director. Tufo has been with the company since 2013 in several roles including marketing and communications manager. In her elevated role, Tufo will interact with Neutrik’s headquarters in Liechtenstein, supporting the global corporate identity while maintaining a watchful eye over market perceptions of the Neutrik brand.

Milani Cosmetics Appoints CMO

Milani has hired Evelyn Wang as its new chief marketing officer, where she will begin on Tuesday. She previously served as senior vice president of marketing at Wet ‘n Wild at Markwins.

Ducati Restructures Sales And Marketing Teams

Ducati Motor Holding has created two new management divisions following the departure of global sales and marketing director Andrea Buzzoni. Two divisions have been set up within the Board of Management—Global Sales and After Sales and Marketing and Community. Board president Claudio Domenicali has been named interim Director for the Marketing and Community division.

DHI Group Names Chief Marketing Officer

Michelle Marian has joined DHI Group as its new chief marketing officer. Based in Denver, Ms. Marian will lead DHI’s global marketing organization, with responsibility for the company’s digital marketing strategy, demand generation and branding for its three services—Dice, eFinancialCareers and ClearanceJobs. Ms. Marian will focus on marketing efforts to grow customer acquisition and to increase digital channel performance including SEO, email, affiliate and ecommerce.

Marian joins DHI after holding a number of marketing executive roles. Her experience includes global digital marketing at Crocs and executive roles at Shopathome.com, Webroot and Safeway.

Lendi Appoints New CMO

Australian online home loan platform, Lendi, has appointed Zara Cobb as its new chief marketing officer. Cobb brings 12 years of global media and marketing experience to Lendi, having served as head of strategy at Blue 499 and a number of senior roles in media agencies.

In her new role, Cobb, will drive growth in customer acquisition, find optimizations in the customer journey and spread brand awareness.

Leverate Promotes For Head Of Marketing

Brokerage technology provider Leverate has promoted Maya Kenner-Fitoussi to the position of head of marketing. Kenner-Fitoussi joined the company in October of last year as head of professional services, where she managed Leverate’s Marketing Automation and Business Intelligence tool. This is her first promotion at the company.

Mercedes-Benz Promotes For Marketing Head

Auto manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has promoted Bettina Fetzer to head of marketing effective November 1. Fetzer currently oversees PR for brands and global products and has held several positions within the company since 2004. In her new role, Fetzer will be instrumental to the creation and promotion for the Mercedes-Benz brand through both internal and external communications.

Britta Seeger, member of the board of management for Mercedes-Benz Cars marketing and sales said of the promotion: “I am delighted to have gained Bettina Fetzer, a proven communications expert and outstanding executive as Head of Mercedes-Benz Marketing. Under her leadership, we will further develop the successful brand work of recent years as well as the digitization of our customer contacts.”

Forbidden Technologies Chooses Head Of Marketing

Forbidden Technologies, developer and seller of cloud workstation Blackbird, has announced several corporate changes, including the appointment of a new marketing head. Adrien Lambert joins the team as department head, having served as marketing director for a number of companies including EDM Ltd and Global Eagle Entertainment.

Everest Insurance Adds Marketing Director

Everest Insurance, a division of global reinsurer Everest Re Group, has appointed Bill Pollert as a director in its New York-based marketing and distribution team. Pollert joins the company after serving 14 years at Marsh USA, where he held a variety of positions—most recently as senior vice president and portfolio Manager within the Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions (PEMA) team in New York.

Dane Lopes, head of sales, marketing and distribution management at Everest Insurance said of the appointment: “Bill is a key addition to the US East Distribution team. His background in the private equity space aligns closely with our “One Everest” value proposition within our PE vertical. Bill will utilize his cross-product experience to service the unique needs of private equity firms, and at the same time his global risk management experience positions him well to understand the needs of Everest’s valued trading partners in this space.”

Kuflink Appoints Head Of Digital Marketing

Manchester peer-to-peer lending institution Kuflink has chosen Tom Lindridge as its new head of digital marketing. Lindridge brings a decade of experience to the growing company, having served as digital marketing director for Shawbrook Bank among others.

Commenting on Tom’s appointment, Ed Hounsell, chief marketing officer at Kuflink, said: “Our recent digital campaigns have brought a whole new generation of investors to our growing community, and we’re excited to develop and refine this approach under Tom’s expertise. His years of experience and success within the financial services sector make us a perfect match to ensure we build on momentum and continue to grow quickly within this space.”

Editor’s Note: Our weekly careers post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, October 26. Have a new hire tip? We’re looking for senior executive role changes in marketing and media. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

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