Unilever brings back former European marketer to manage agencies

Unilever is drafting in its former European head of marketing Paula Quazi to manage its marketing services agency relationships.

Quazi, who left Unilever in 2007 and whose return is thought to be imminent, will report directly to chief marketing and communications officer Keith Weed, who was promoted to a board level role in March following the exit of chief marketing officer Simon Clift.

It is thought Quazi will be encouraged to foster enhanced creativity from the agencies on Unilever’s roster in her new role and her appointment may signal a shake-up of Unilever’s marketing personnel as Weed seeks to put his own stamp on the company’s marketing operation.

Since her 2007 departure, Quazi has been running her own business, PQ Consultancy, specialising in business and brand positioning, advertising and innovation. In addition, in 2008 she founded Buff Snacks, a food business selling branded healthy snack products. Her prior career was spent entirely at Unilever, having joined Unilever Foods UK as a graduate in 1990 and rising through various roles from brand manager to board marketing director, until 2006, when she was appointed vice president marketing Europe, where she was responsible for all marketing activities across Unilever’s brand portfolio in Europe.

Separately, former Unilever chief marketing officer Simon Clift joined the board of agency network Engine as a non-executive director. The group’s agencies include WCRS, Dave, Partners Andrews Aldridge and Fuel.

This story first appeared on pitch