Simon Clift named CMO of the Year

Recognising visionary marketeers

It’s the second major award for Simon. In September 2009 he was named International Marketer of the Year at Marketing & Media Magazine’s M&M Awards.  The latest award, considered the ‘Champions League’ of European Marketing, was given out at a ceremony in Frankfurt, Germany on Thursday 19 November. It is voted by a jury composed of international CEOs and marketing experts.

The two other winners of the 2009 title – which was jointly conferred – were Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice-President of Sales at Lufthansa and Jacques-Antoine Granjon, CEO of vente-privee.com.

Award reinforces Unilever’s marketing credentials

Gregor Harter, jury member and partner with Booz & Company, commented: "The prize winners this year reflect both the strategic importance of, and also the wide-ranging options for, visionary marketing management. The right strategic approach, combined with consistent implementation, is every bit as vital to success for an established major company group as it is for a start-up."

Transforming traditional consumer goods

The jury stated: "British Simon Clift transformed the traditional consumer goods group Unilever into a successful, market-oriented organisation, following massive restructuring." It went on to point out that Unilever has been rewarded with the highest number of creative and effectiveness awards of any advertiser over the last decade.

"I’m very grateful,” said Simon. “I’m honoured and slightly embarrassed, but I accept gladly on behalf of those in Unilever who’ve worked hard over the past five years or so to transform a disparate collection of businesses into a company of genuinely global brands. I think as such we are better placed to confront the challenges ahead."

Marketing challenges ahead

Talking about those challenges, Simon elaborated: "I would certainly single out the task of getting our brand messages heard in an environment of breathtaking media fragmentation and growing, while reducing our environmental impacts. I think those are the two daunting - but exciting - challenges that confront any marketing company early in the 21st century."