Former Executive Vice President of OgilvyOne Worldwide Adds Depth and Experience to IRI’s European Management Team
CHICAGO and LONDON, April 14, 2008 – To further fuel the continuing growth of its international business, Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), the leading global provider of consumer, shopper, and market insights for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) retail, and healthcare industries, announced today that Nigel Howlett has joined the company as President of IRI International. Howlett was previously Executive Vice President (global) at OgilvyOne Worldwide and a member of the company’s board of directors. He replaces and reports to Mark Parise who has assumed the role of President of IRI’s global Market Information Group.
Howlett will focus on continuing to aggressively grow the market content, solutions and technology businesses throughout IRI’s international operations as well as expand the company’s international innovation practice.
“Nigel recognizes the tremendous potential to expand IRI’s business overseas and brings an outstanding track record of growth and success to the company,” said IRI President and Chief Executive Officer John Freeland. “His wealth of experience with leading CPG companies, as well as his focus on establishing new practices is a great fit with IRI’s business philosophy and growth plans.”
At OgilvyOne, Howlett was responsible for the company’s Global Consulting Practice, which included building global alliances and partnerships, acquisitions, attracting significant new consulting engagements, and tailoring the firm’s services to its international clients. In this role, Howlett more than tripled the size of the firm’s consulting operation over the last 4 years. Major contracts signings under his leadership included international assignments with Nestle and Unilever. Howlett was also responsible for creating a global consulting alliance with IBM and launching a global E-mail Marketing and Digital Dialogue Practice across three continents.
Howlett started with OgilvyOne Worldwide in 1991 as managing director of Ogilvy & Mather DataConsult. He became chairman and CEO of OgilvyOne UK in 1996 and was named to his latest position in 2003. Before OgilvyOne, he served as client services director at The Computing Group from 1988 to 1991.
Howlett began his career at GKN plc, earning a university scholarship in 1976 prior to graduating in 1980 with roles in sales as a special projects team member. He later served as a product manager and group product manager (1982 to 1984), marketing manager (1984 to1985), and finally, group head of marketing, GKN Vending Services (1985 to1987). Howlett earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in business and marketing from UWE Bristol.
“IRI has built an excellent reputation in Europe for developing some of the most advanced solutions for many of the world’s top brands,” said Howlett. “I look forward to providing my expertise and knowledge to help move the company forward in coordination with IRI’s dynamic worldwide team and blue chip customers.”
About IRI
IRI is the world’s leading provider of consumer, shopper, and retail market intelligence and insights supporting 95 percent of the FORTUNE Global 500 consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail and healthcare companies. Only IRI offers the unique combination of integrated market information, automated and predictive analytics, innovative enabling technologies, and domain expertise. With IRI, leading retailers and manufacturers are able to quickly discover breakthrough insights driving smarter decisions and actions across the enterprise for breakthrough results. Companies around the world depend on IRI for improved productivity, stronger brands, and dramatic revenue growth. For more information, visit http://us.infores.com.
IRI CONTACTS:
John McIndoe
E-mail: john.mcindoe@infores.com
Phone: (312) 474-3862
Eva Vila
E-mail: eva.vila@infores.com
Phone: +34 93.342.97.22