Business Pioneer and P&G Ad Man to Headline Congress

Two new keynote speakers have been announced for the ESOMAR Congress in Cannes next month. Laurence Parisot, former market researcher and the first female president of the French Employers' Federation, and Ted McConnell, Procter & Gamble USA's ad measurement specialist, will join the existing line-up.

Parisot is President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), and is the first leader of MEDEF to come from the service sector, specifically from market research. In the role, she acts as spokesperson for French business owners. She says her priority is to 'put businesses back at the heart of French society, and make the French appreciate the market economy'.

She was a member of ESOMAR for ten years, is Chair and CEO of Optimum and the Ifop Group, and is also the first female president of the French Employers' Federation.

Ted McConnell is Manager of Interactive Marketing Innovation for Procter & Gamble USA. He is responsible for the use of technology for consumer marketing, with a particular focus on advertising measurement. His 25-year career has spanned roles in IT, sales, R&D, and a three-year position as the company's Futurist. He characterises himself as a consumer advocate.

Details of the Congress and the Accompanying Person Programme, which includes a visit to a perfumery, a tour of Nice and wine tasting, are online at www.esomar.org/web/show/id=148166