SC Johnson ousts Euro chief after ‘global’ clash

US household product giant SC Johnson has ousted its executive vice-president for Europe because of a difference of opinion over the company’s globalisation of marketing.

SC Johnson is now seeking a replacement for Gianni Montezemolo, an Italian who has been with the Glade to Mr Muscle group for 24 years. It is also looking for a European director of marketing – a new position.

Montezemolo was sidelined during the global centralisation of advertising into Foote Cone & Belding. The appointment of the agency was masterminded from the US head office (MW January 19).

He is understood to have had doubts about the effectiveness of the increasing globalisation of marketing, adopted by top US marketers within the company. He felt that European markets could not be treated in the same way as the US.

Observers believe the decision to bring in a marketing director at European level is likely to take more responsibility for marketing away from the individual countries.

Montezemolo was md of SC John- son in the UK, before his elevation to European management. He has also headed the Italian business.

Last September, a new UK marketing chief, Steve Lieberman, was brought in from the US. He reports to group md John Langdell.