Client Board and New CIO for Millward Brown

Millward Brown has announced the appointment of Ronald D. Markham as Chief Information Officer; and the setting up of a Client Advisory Board to keep the company truly customer-focused.


Markham will report to Global CEO Eileen Campbell and will join the global board. He will work in the areas of mobile computing, social media and other web research.

He worked previously for SPSS, part of IBM, Comdisco and GE Capital Rail Service. Following IBM's acquisition of SPSS, as Senior VP and CIO he led the worldwide expansion and full integration of SPSS and its systems within IBM.

From a base in the Lisle, Illinois office but with frequent travel, Markham said he would be 'helping to harness emerging technologies in a way that will fundamentally transform the effectiveness, velocity, and visual excitement of the insights generated for [MB's] clients across the globe.'

Campbell comments: 'While Ron's outstanding track record clearly demonstrates that he has the required technical skills for the CIO role, I am most enthusiastic about his mindset. His commitment to using technology to make our jobs more interesting and easier and our clients happier is inspiring.'


In a separate move, the company has set up a Client Advisory Board, which Campbell says will 'make sure we have a clear 'voice of the client' in all strategic decisions made for the business.'

Representatives of two of the company's largest accounts - Paul McClean of Coca-Cola and Scott Spence of Unilever - will join members of Millward Brown's existing Board on the new body. Sue Elms will also join the board, in a new role heading up the Global Brand Management function.

There will also be a rotating seat on the board for a regional representative, dependent on where the board is meeting.

The group's home page is at www.millwardbrown.com .