CMO of the Year in association with

The "CMO of the Year 2006" Award

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Three outstanding European heads of marketing were today presented with "CMO of the Year" awards at the Global Marketer Summit in Frankfurt am Main. This is the inaugural year of the award, presented by international strategy and technology consultants Booz Allen Hamilton in partnership with trade magazines Horizont and Advertising Age. The new award acknowledges marketing as a critical function of business management and underlines the growing importance of the Chief Marketing Officer in strategic and operational leadership.

The winners are:

David Magliano Marketing Director for the successful London 2012 Olympic bid

Jury statement
David Magliano is the driving force behind the successful "London 2012" Olympic bid. The former EasyJet marketing chief succeeded in building a clear brand image and achieving a sustainable differentiation from other bidding cities in a limited timescale. Through stakeholder management and the use of innovative ambient media he secured a high level of recognition for the project. He fully delivered on a mission to communicate the passion held by London and its population for the Olympics. Initial sceptical public opinion was quickly transformed into broad support. Ultimately the decisive moment in the decision favouring London was the convincing presentation to the IOC in Singapore.

Steven Sharp Executive Director for Marketing at Marks & Spencer (GB)

Jury statement
Steven Sharp has played a significant part in the turnaround of Marks & Spencer in the UK since 2004. The "Your M&S" campaign helped to fend off a hostile takeover bid and reestablish the confidence of staff and customers in this traditional brand. Since 2004 Marks & Spencer's share price has almost doubled, turnover has increased and market share has been won back. Sharp's innovative marketing approach was a key driver in this development. The jury were won over by the influence of Sharp's marketing strategy on the overall company agenda, his capacity to tear down organisational barriers, his ability to increase brand value effectively and shape customers' perception perfectly via innovative communication concepts.

Erich Stamminger CEO for the adidas brand and board member of adidas AG

Jury statement
Erich Stamminger is one of the architects of the enduring story of growth and success at adidas. As President and CEO for the adidas brand, he has redefined the global brand with the three stripes since 2000. Through the introduction of three new product areas, today adidas' coverage of all areas of the sports item industry is unequalled by any other company. By emphasising the areas of design and innovation, supported by massive marketing campaigns (e.g. for the FIFA Football World Cup 2006), the brand image has improved noticeably. As a result, market shares in the traditional segments of football and tennis have been maintained, and additional share won in segments dominated by international competitors, such as basketball and running. The jury was impressed by Stamminger's ability to sustain addidas' differentiation from competitors through the re-positioning of the brand - internally and externally - plus the resulting implementation of marketing strategy in all relevant areas of the company.

The three were chosen by a top-quality jury

The participants were nominated by third parties only. Everybody was encouraged to nominate potential candidates who qualify for the "CMO of the Year" along the guidelines of the award categories listed here.