Clearasil gains global marketer

Crookes Healthcare’s marketing director of skincare Neil Lawrence has been moved by parent company Boots Healthcare International to the position of head of global marketing operations for Clearasil.

The move follows Boots Healthcare’s purchase of Clearasil from Procter & Gamble last October.

In his new role, Lawrence reports to head of skincare marketing for Clearasil, Mark Rogers.

Crookes is not looking to replace Lawrence. The company’s marketing director for healthcare Simon Merritt has assumed responsibilities for both skincare and healthcare brands.

In 1999, Boots Healthcare restructured its marketing department when Lawrence, formerly Boots Healthcare’s head of marketing for exports, was promoted to marketing director for skincare at Crookes Healthcare (MW May 13, 1999).

At the same time, Merritt was also promoted from marketing manager for Strepsils to marketing director for healthcare.

A spokeswoman for Boots Healthcare says: “It’s all a matter of integrating the Clearasil brand into the company.”

The 50-year-old Clearasil brand was snapped up by Boots last year in a &£233m cash deal. It opened up the US market to the beauty and healthcare retailer for the first time (MW October 19, 2000).

Crookes produces over-the-counter medicines, including Nurofen, Optrex, Strepsils and E45 skincare products.