Mars petcare lures P&G chief Francke

Procter & Gamble marketing chief Ann Francke, who launched Madonna as the new face of its Max Factor cosmetics brand, has been poached by Mars.

Francke has been appointed vice-president of European marketing for Mars European petcare business, Master Brands Europe. She will take up the newly-created position in October, and report to the European president Dick Raper. She will oversee brands such as Pedigree, Whiskas, Cesar and Sheba.

She leaves P&G as general manager, cosmetics new business development, having previously been in charge of marketing for cosmetics, skincare and male toiletries. As well as successfully signing up Madonna for Max Factor, she also oversaw the promotion of Oil of Ulay’s new name – Oil of Olay – using controversial female artists.

Francke, who is rumoured to be on a $1m (&£617,000) package in her new job, says: “Mars has rightly earned its place as market leader and has built some great global brands in the process.”