Unilever names Esi Eggleston Bracey chief growth and marketing officer

Unilever has named Esi Eggleston Bracey as its new top marketer as part of a broader leadership shakeup, the company announced today. Bracey succeeds Conny Braams as the top marketer at the world’s ninth largest marketer, with nearly $8.3 billion in global spending in 2022, according to Ad Age Datacenter’s new World’s Largest Advertiser rankings. Bracey takes on a new role as chief growth and marketing officer after Braams stepped down as chief digital and commercial officer in August. Ad Age World’s Largest Advertisers 2023 Ad spending, rankings and analysis for the top 100 advertisers Click here Bracey is an alum of rival Procter & Gamble Co., where she worked closely with Marc Pritchard, P&G’s current chief brand officer, among others on the global cosmetics business that the company ultimately divested to Coty. She became head of that business at Coty before stepping down from that role in 2017 and joining Unilever in 2018. At Unilever, Bracey was most recently general manager of personal care in North America and head of country for the U.S. On her watch, Unilever has shifted its portfolio to focus more on premium beauty and wellness products, while offloading its value Suave brand. Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs She’s also been a strong proponent of purpose-driven marketing, including Dove’s championing of Crown Act legislation that protects against discrimination based on diverse hairstyles at the federal, state and local levels. Unilever’s purpose efforts have been criticized by some investors as they became a growing focus under former CEO Alan Jope. But Bracey’s appointment suggests new CEO Hein Schumacher isn’t giving up on the approach. And Bracey also has focused on measurable results from Unilever’s purpose marketing efforts. Bracey’s appointment was one of several Unilever announced, including a new chief financial officer and elevations of two unit chief marketing officers to head those units of the company. Fernando Fernandez, currently president of Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing Business Group, is replacing Graeme Pitkethly as CFO effective in January. Priya Nair, currently CMO of Beauty & Wellbeing, will succeed Fernandez as president of that business. Hanneke Faber, president of nutrition, has left Unilever for a new opportunity, the company announced, with a replacement to be announced “in due course,” according to a statement. Matt Close, president of ice cream, is leaving Unilever at the end of 2023, according to the statement, to be replaced by Peter ter Kulve, currently president of home care. Eduardo Campanella, currently CMO of home care, has become president of the unit. In the statement, Schumacher thanked Faber and Close for their service and welcomed Bracey, Nair and Campanella as “part of an exceptional generation of Unilever leaders who combine world class marketing skills with frontline experience.”

Unilever appoints Esi Eggleston Bracey as new chief marketer

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