GSK restructures global marketing…

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has promoted its European marketing chief to head its global consumer healthcare operation, as part of a worldwide restructure of the company.

John Clarke, president of GSK’s European consumer healthcare business, will be given the role of president of a newly created global marketing division, known as the “futures” team, from January.

Marketing will be divided into five core product teams within the division. James Halett, general manager for Italy, will become vice-president for over-the-counter brand Panadol. Andy Johnson, category manager for Sensodyne, will become vice-president for the Sensodyne team.

General manager for France Tim Wright will become vice-president for the dental care team. Category managers Katie Kemper and Colin McKenzie have been promoted to vice-presidents for smoking control and Aquafresh respectively.

A GSK spokeswoman says the restructure is not yet finished, but that the positions of the three marketing chiefs in the UK – Fiona Macleod, Whitney Baldwin and Julie Leivers – are unlikely to be affected.

She says GSK wants to simplify the structure of its global marketing team, creating a clearer line of responsibility within its divisions.

She adds that GSK will be recruiting a director of advertising and a director of innovation for the UK.

President for consumer healthcare in North America Manfred Scheske will succeed Clarke as European head of consumer healthcare. Scheske’s position will go to George Quinnel, senior vice-president of strategic development and global marketing.

Four other brands – Horlicks, Ribena, Nicorette and Lucozade – will have separate global teams, with unchanged marketing personnel.