ESOMAR Job Tempts Woman From Eden

After a long search, world MR association ESOMAR has appointed a new Director General - Véronique Jeannin joins from water company Danone Springs of Eden. DRNO reported the impending departure of the previous DG Ted Vonk a year ago next week.

Since last summer day-to-day management of the association has been handled by Anna Alù, Wilfred van der Lee and Rob Findlay. When Vonk announced his departure, ESOMAR declared that it would conduct 'a rigorous recruitment process' ( www.mrweb.com/drno2k/news2931.htm ) and indeed there is little danger of its being criticised for immoderate haste.

ESOMAR President José Wert says the appointment completes the Management Team of which Alù (Professional Development), van der Lee (CFO) and Findlay (Marketing & External Relations) are key members. 'We can now continue' says Wert 'to develop our leading position in effective industry facilitation and further strengthen our role in promoting high standards of performance'.

Jeannin, 47, started her professional career as an international law consultant in 1981. In the '80s and '90s she worked in international marketing and multicultural management functions in Paris, London and Geneva. In 2000 she joined mineral water suppliers Eden Springs Europe as International Marketing Director, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The company became part of Danone in 2003.

Jeannin said it was a privilege to join ESOMAR: 'I look forward to getting to know the organisation and its constituencies. The world MR industry is changing rapidly, there are many challenges ahead - but I am sure that, together with the ESOMAR Council and the Management Team, we will be able to consolidate the strong position and develop further products, services and communication to the benefit of membership at large'.

ESOMAR was founded in 1948 and now has 4000 members in 100 countries, including both clients and providers of opinion and marketing research, plus many other agencies, companies and institutions. Its web site is at www.esomar.org

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