In the UK, MR and ad company System1 Group has appointed Mars marketer Jane Wakelyas a Non-Executive Director (N.E.D.).

Previously known as BrainJuicer, System1, uses an approach developed by psychologist and Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman to describe the way consumers make most of their decisions: quickly, intuitively and emotionally. Last month, the group reported an 18% decline in revenue and a 68% drop in profit before tax for the year ended 31st March 2018. Chairman Ken Ford said this was a result of a sharp downturn in revenue as clients cut back on spending on MR, and an increase in company costs as it continues to invest in the business to support longer term growth.

Newly appointed N.E.D. Wakely (pictured) is currently Global Chief Marketing Officer for Pet Nutrition at Mars Incorporated, accountable for the Pet Nutrition brand portfolio, marketing and digital strategy globally. She has worked at Mars for seventeen years, before which, Wakely spent nearly a decade at Procter & Gamble, working in marketing across brands in the Health and Beauty Care division.

In addition, Ford will be retiring at tomorrow's AGM, when Graham Blashill will renamed Chairman of the Board, and Robert Brand will be appointed Senior Independent Director. Following last month's appointment of Sophie Tomkins, the group says this completes the planned reconstitution of the Board, and going forward, the Board will comprise of four independent N.E.D.s, and three Executive Directors.

Commenting on the new appointments, CEO John Kearonsaid: 'I am delighted to welcome Jane and Sophie to the Board. Jane's expertise in applying behavioural science and creative excellence to marketing at one of the world's preeminent packaged goods companies will be invaluable as we develop our offering to help clients create 5 Star marketing.'

Web site: www.system1group.com.

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