A national search is underway to replace Wendy’s CMO Ian Rowden, who is resigning for personal reasons, the company said.
Rowden is leaving the job to return to his homeland of Australia. He will remain at Wendy’s through year-end, company spokesman Denny Lynch said.
“Ian was instrumental in re-awakening the Wendy’s brand and driving innovation, and he has agreed to work with me to help transition marketing as we search for our next CMO,” said Chief Executive Officer and President Kerrii Anderson in a statement.
Paul Kershisnik, Wendy’s senior vice president of marketing strategy and innovation, and Bob Holtcamp, the chain’s vice president of brand management, will handle marketing duties until a permanent replacement is found.
There is no timetable to find a replacement for Rowden, Lynch said.
Despite the change, Wendy’s plans to expand its “That’s Right” advertising campaign, with agencies Saatchi and Saatchi and kirshenbaum bond, which uses red wigs to pay tribute to the firm’s young girl character Wendy.
Rowden joined Wendy’s as executive vice president and chief marketing officer in Dec. 2004. Before that, he worked four years as executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Callaway Golf. Rowden also was vice president and worldwide director of advertising at the Coca-Cola Co. where he led all aspects brand positioning and communications, including advertising, graphic design, packaging, consumer insights, sports properties and marketing alliances, and merchandising innovation for Coca-Cola, Diet Coke/Coca-Cola Lite, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid and Schweppes.
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