Avon names new CCO
By Canadian Packaging staff
General Avon Products Inc.Chris Wermann named chief communications officer of Avon Products, Inc.
NEW YORK–Avon Products, Inc. has appointment Chris Wermann as chief communications officer, effective January 3, 2017. Wermann’s responsibilities will include corporate and internal communications, corporate social responsibility and sustainability, and operational oversight of the Avon Foundation for Women. He will report to Sheri McCoy, Avon’s chief executive officer.
“I am delighted to have Chris join us as chief communications officer,” says McCoy. “As we move forward through this period of transition and continue delivering on our Transformation Plan, communicating effectively is more important than ever. With his strong leadership and impressive strategic communications experience, Chris will be an invaluable addition to our management team.”
Wermann remarks, “I am very pleased to join the team of such an iconic, global brand during this exciting time. I look forward to working with Sheri and the rest of the management team to ensure Avon’s strategic communications best supports the company’s business and financial objectives.”
Wermann has deep experience in corporate affairs and communications across a range of industries and international markets. He has led the development of integrated internal and external communications strategies for several blue chip companies facing rapidly evolving situations, demanding stakeholder sentiment, and pivotal periods of transformation.
Prior to joining Avon, Wermann served as group director of corporate affairs for Home Retail Group PLC, the UK’s leading general merchandise digital retailer. As a member of the senior leadership team, Wermann directed and led communications across the Group and Operating Companies. He established the first Group and Retail brand and consumer corporate affairs vision, purpose, strategies, and plans, realigning the function and roles, both internal and external, to become commercial business partners for the Group and branded businesses, while ensuring maximum creativity.
Previously, Wermann was European director of corporate affairs for Kellogg, where he was responsible for developing and leading the corporate affairs strategy for Europe. In that role, he completely realigned the European CSR programs to fit business and stakeholder needs. Wermann helped to lead Kellogg’s global response to the World Health Organization‘s challenge on obesity and health, including being the first to launch a new nutrition labeling system, new children’s marketing guidelines, and food innovation commitments. He also lobbied to be the first food company to help establish the Change4life program with the UK Government and took a leadership role in establishing a five-fold commitment to the environment. Before joining Kellogg, he served as director of corporate affairs for Avis Europe PLC, and as deputy director, group communications, for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC.
Wermann will be replacing Avon’s current senior vice-president of corporate relations Cheryl Heinonen, who will be stepping down from the position effective January 1, 2017.
About Avon Products, Inc.
For 130 years, Avon has stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and, above all, women. Avon products include well-recognized and beloved brands such as ANEW, Avon Color, Avon Care, Skin-So-Soft, and Advance Techniques sold through nearly six million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. For product information, visit www.avon.ca.
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