Wrigley appoints first chief of marketing CMO

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company on Monday announced the appointment of the first chief marketing officer in the company s 115-year history. The company said Martin Schlatter, 40, in his new role as vice president and chief marketing officer, will report directly to Bill Wrigley Jr., chairman, president and CEO of the Chicago-based gum company. Schlatter will be responsible for Wrigley s global marketing plans, developing the company s worldwide marketing strategy and identifying new avenues for reaching consumers. Schlatter joined the Wrigley firm in 2002 after senior marketing stints with Lindt Chocolates in Switzerland and Procter & Gamble Co. in Germany and the United Kingdom. Since 2004 Schlatter has been general manager of Wrigley s U.S. business and helped drive sales to the point that Wrigley now makes 63 percent of the gum sold in the U.S.



Wrigley published its first quarter 2006 financial results. Global sales increased 13 percent to a first-quarter record $1.08 billion on worldwide shipment increases of 23 percent. First quarter global sales grew by $125 million over the same quarter last year. Wrigley s core business contributed a solid 6 percent of the gain while the acquired confectionery brands accounted for 10 percent of the increase. Consolidated operating profits in the period were down 10 percent from the prior year. Consolidated net earnings of $112 million were down $19 million from the prior year. In addition to the dilution from the acquired confectionery brands, earnings were negatively impacted by the restructuring charge and stock option expenses.