Members of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) today unanimously voted for Martin Riley, group Chief Marketing Officer at Pernod Ricard, as their new president. He replaces Chris Burggraeve, the former global CMO of AB InBev, who has held the post since 2010.
Martin has been CMO at Pernod Ricard Group since 2009 and oversees global marketing activities for a brand portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Absolut Vodka, Jameson, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin as well as G. H. Mumm and Perrier Jouet champagnes. Martin’s appointment has been formally announced at the WFA Annual General Meeting in Brussels today as the organization celebrates sixty years of promoting responsible and effective marketing with its annual Global Marketer Week celebrations. He will hold the post of WFA President for two years with the option of extending for one additional year.
Martin joined the Pernod Ricard Group in 1997 as International Sales and Marketing Director for the Irish Distillers Group in Dublin and then became International Marketing Director at Chivas Brothers in London. He previously worked for Allied Domecq as Marketing Vice President.
He has lived and worked in France, Ireland, Russia, Belgium, UK and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts and Manufacturers, member of the Institute of Directors and adviser to Greenwich University Business School. He is married with four children.
During his tenure, Martin will work closely with the organization’s executive to drive forward the WFA’s dual goals of championing responsible marketing and supporting marketers ensure greater efficiencies and effectiveness in their marketing investment.
“I’m delighted and honoured to be taking over the Presidency of WFA, not least in its jubilee year. It’s a prestigious organization with a truly global footprint and I look forward to meeting the members and listening to and helping them address their priority issues,” he said.
His appointment was welcomed by Stephan Loerke, Managing Director of the WFA. “We’re delighted that Martin has agreed to add the responsibilities of WFA President to his already packed schedule. As one of the industry’s most respected figures, he is the ideal advocate for everything that is good about our industry. His knowledge, verve and passion for marketing will be a huge asset to our organization and the broader industry,” he said. “I would also like to pay tribute to Chris Burggraeve, who has been an exemplary president for the last three years. His personality has rubbed off on the organization and WFA is much richer for it. I extend him my sincere thanks on behalf of all WFA members.”
The WFA members also confirmed Stephen Kehoe, Head of International Corporate Relations at Visa Worldwide as Deputy President. The roles of regional Vice-Presidents were taken by Bob Liodice, President and CEO at Association of National Advertisers for North America, Rahul Welde, VP-Media, Asia, Africa, Middle East & Turkey, Unilever for Asia-Pacific, Sergey Glushkov, President of the Russian Advertisers Association for Central and Eastern Europe and Mario Davis, President of ANDA Chile for Latin America.
