GfK Hires Villain for Reshuffled US Team

GfK has 'reconfigured' its North American Brand, Customer Experience and Innovation teams, and appointed Eric Villain as Managing Director of the US Brand and Customer Experience (BaCE) division, which now incorporates Customer Loyalty and Brand & Communications.

The Group says the realignment has been made to provide clients with greater access to a broad range of its expertise. David Krajicek, CEO of GfK Consumer Experiences North America, explains: 'Marketers and researchers need a one-stop source of expertise on their key business issues, supported by solutions that can 'go global' on demand. We have reconfigured our organization to deliver both depth of insight and greater simplicity in addressing a broad range of marketing challenges.'

As part of the move, three GfK leaders have assumed expanded roles: Audrey Rosen becomes MD of Market Opportunities and Innovation; Gary Schanzer takes up the role of MD of Shopper and Retail Strategy; and Don Simons becomes MD of Consumer Goods and Consumer Healthcare.

Villain (pictured) joins with more than 25 years' experience in business leadership, brand consulting and marketing insight roles. Most recently, he served as President, Media and Technology, at Ipsos OTX Media CT, prior to which he held senior positions at WPP firms Added Value and Millward Brown, where he worked for a decade.

Holly Jarrell, Chief Client Services Officer for GfK Consumer Experiences North America, adds: 'Eric has deep experience in the issues facing brand and consumer marketers today, as well as proven leadership skills. He and our other division leaders will bring exceptional focus to our efforts as we strive to deliver the research excellence and integrated insights that marketers need today.'

Web site: www.gfk.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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