SC Johnson picks new Euro chief

SC Johnson has handed the new post of European director of marketing to Luis Faria, former head of Johnson Wax in Spain and Portugal.

The household products giant created the post before ousting its vice-president for Europe Gianni Montezemolo. He left three weeks ago, following a clash over the globalisation of the company’s marketing (MW February 2).

He was sidelined during the consolidation of the 224m advertising account into Foote Cone & Belding (MW January 19).

SC Johnson says it will appoint a replacement for Montezemolo.

The position of European director of marketing is part of the company’s centralisation plans, putting marketing under the control of the European head office in the UK.

A company spokesman says: “There are a number of reasons for the creation of this post – it is mainly to ensure the global strategy is consistent across Europe.”

Faria worked for Johnson from 1979 until 1995, when he left for “personal reasons”. In his new role, he will be responsible for products such as Mr Muscle, Pledge, Toilet Duck and Glade.