Advertising News South Africa

Maria Phillips the new Mindshare CEO

Media specialist Mindshare has appointed Maria Phillips as its CEO; she replaces Mike Nussey, who left in February 2006. Phillips brings a wealth of experience in formulating and implementing consumer strategies for FMCG companies such as National Brands, SABMiller, Gemini and Cadbury.

Her most recent role was as executive director - demand for National Brands Limited. Prior to that, she was employed as national trade marketing manager for South African Breweries.

Phillips has a BComm degree and an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand. She began honing her marketing skills at Cadbury South Africa, where she worked for 13 years before joining Gemini Consulting. At Gemini she worked on sales, marketing and distribution projects for clients in the chipboard, chemical, explosives and national brewery industries.

Phillips says media is a new area for her and she's excited about the new challenge. "I've heard great things about the Mindshare business and its people and I'm looking forward to working there," she says.

Mindshare holding board director Nunu Ntshingila says Phillips brings significant marketing insight to Mindshare. "By joining Mindshare, she has literally crossed the floor. This is great for us because marketing savvy is invaluable for brand planning," she says.

Ntshingila says Phillips' appointment heralds a new era for Mindshare. "We have been looking for the right person for quite some time now. We're excited that we've secured a marketer with such an illustrious career under her belt."

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