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 during the last four years. Major contract
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 U.K. 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 to
1985), and finally, group head of marketing, GKN Vending Services
(1985 to 1987). 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.
