Ferrero UK marketing director moves to confectioner’s German division

Ferrero UK marketing director Neil McIntosh has moved to the company’s German division as marketing director for praline products, including the Ferrero Rocher brand.

A replacement for McIntosh has yet to be found – indeed, it is not clear whether he will be directly replaced. His responsibilities will be split between Markus Huelsmann, marketing manager for Ferrero Rocher, Nutella and Tic Tac, and Kinder products marketing manager Luigi Oddone. It is not known why McIntosh decided to switch roles.

Ferrero does not have a retained agency. Publicis did handle the account, but resigned it to take over the £30m Cadbury business earlier this year (MW April 17). It has used its own in-house creative team, Pubbliregia, for this year’s Christmas campaign, which was launched by McIntosh before his departure.

The campaign sees the return of the infamous “ambassador’s reception” theme, although the ad has been updated to feature a female ambassador.

Ferrero has developed a number of new box formats for independent and multiple retailers this Christmas, including Ferrero Rocher four-packs and closed gold Christmas tree-shaped boxes. It is spending £3m on advertising Ferrero Rocher this Christmas.