Superdrug picks ex-Kraft man as head of marketing

Kingfisher Group-owned chain Superdrug has appointed former marketing controller Neil Jarvis as head of marketing with responsibility for its £10m total advertising budget.

Jarvis, who replaces Paul Geddes following his appointment as Comet marketing director in August, will oversee the day-to-day ad and promotions budget, reporting directly to marketing director Steven Round. He will also be in charge of Superdrug’s 35-strong marketing team.

Jarvis, 29, joined Superdrug last December from Kraft Jacobs Suchard, where he spent three years working on the Terry’s confectionery brand in the UK, before heading a new product development programme in Germany.

His promotion at Superdrug follows a series of marketing changes at Kingfisher, and continues the company’s policy of recruiting from within. Geddes replaced Stephen O’Brien as Comet marketing director when he left to become director of complementary channels at Kingfisher (MW July 22). Meanwhile, Woolworths marketing director Alan McWalter, who left for Marks & Spencer in September, has been replaced by Ken Lewis, former managing director of Kingfisher’s MVC entertainment retail chain (MW November 18).

Superdrug’s above-the-line advertising, worth £5m last year, is through Bates UK. Media is with Zenith Media and Meridian Outdoor Advertising.