MUMBAI: The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) announced Tuesday a new leadership team by electing Mastercard CMO Raja Rajamannar as its new president till 2021. He will be given the option to extend for another two years at the end of his original tenure.
Rajamannar has worked for Mastercard since 2013, and in particular has led the company’s marketing transformation, including the integration of the marketing and communication functions, evolution of its ‘Priceless’ experiential platform, and creation of cutting-edge marketing-led business models into the core of the company.
With more than 30 years of experience as a global executive across multiple industries, his previous roles include being the Citigroup global CMO of Cards and Payments and the Diners Club North America CEO.
Rajamannar started his career with Asian Paints in India. He was also the winner of the 2018 WFA Global Marketer of the Year award. He replaces David Wheldon, the Royal Bank of Scotland CMO, who has been at the helm of the WFA since 2015. Wheldon will continue to serve on the executive committee as Regional VP for Western Europe.
“The opportunity in front of marketers today to make a difference for their brand, their business and even the world is tremendous. I am honoured to pick up and carry the torch as President of WFA, an organisation committed to elevating and advancing the activities of our profession, and a role I am convinced will become even more important in the years to come,” Rajamannar stated.
WFA CEO Stephan Loerke added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Raja as our new President. He’s one of the very best in the business and his work at Mastercard demonstrates how marketers can deliver unrivalled business and social impact when they’re at the top of their game.” “I’d also like to thank David for his invaluable service as President. He is nothing short of a giant in the global marketing industry and he has helped lift the organisation to another level in terms of its relevance to CMOs, its strategic focus and its global expansion. We’re delighted he’s agreed to stay on our Executive Committee and help steer the organisation through future challenges.”
Rajamannar will have the Pepsico Global SVP of Policy and Government Affairs, Philip Myers as his deputy and the WFA vice-president takes over from Matthias Berninger, the former Mars Public Affairs Global VP.
Myers leads PepsiCo’s government and stakeholder relations. Previously, he oversaw public policy and communications across the company’s Europe Sub-Saharan Africa business and before that led the European Retail Round Table, which brought together the continent’s leading retailers on public policy issues.
His appointment reflects the dual nature of WFA’s mission working with both marketers to ensure marketing effectiveness and policy professionals to protect brands’ license to operate.
