Zurich names global group chief marketing officer

Zurich Financial Services, the global insurance giant, has appointed former Philip Morris and Young & Rubicam executive Arun Sinha as global group chief marketing officer.

He replaces E. Randall Clouser, who has taken another position in the group.

Sinha is expected to spearhead a continued focus on Zurich’s global advertising and marketing strategy. He joins from office services firm Pitney Bowes, where he was chief marketing officer.

The Swiss-based financial services company launched a high-profile global brand campaign last year, featuring the strapline "Because Change Happenz". The campaign, created by Publicis, marked the first major advertising push in its UK market for a number of years as the brand attempted to make itself more consumer-facing. The network was appointed to the £100m global advertising business in May 2004.

The insurance company also became the first brand to advertise on Nelson’s Column when the London landmark underwent restoration last year.

The appointment follows changes in the UK team last year, with UK marketing director Mark Searles being promoted to managing director, retail (MW November 16, 2006). He had been brought in to help implement the global marketing strategy a year earlier.

Sinha, who also serves on the board of directors of the American-based Direct Marketing Assocation (DMA), was appointed by Pitney Bowes as its first chief marketing officer in 2001. Previously, he held marketing and business development roles with tobacco company Philip Morris and ad network Young & Rubicam. He joins Zurich this month.