ITV CEO Dame Carolyn McCall replaces former Diageo CMO Syl Saller as The Marketing Society’s new president.
The Marketing Society has appointed ITV CEO Dame Carolyn McCall as its new president, replacing outgoing president Syl Saller.
McCall joined ITV in January 2018 as CEO and introduced new investments in the ITV brand, including data, digital and subscription capabilities. Prior to that, she was CEO of EasyJet for nearly eight years.
McCall spent a large portion of her career at Guardian Media Group, joining in 1986. She became CEO of Guardian News and Media in 2001 and CEO of the Guardian Media Group from 2006 until 2010.
During her tenure, she was responsible for launching Wired magazine in the UK and taking the Guardian online with the rollout of its website in 1999. In 2008, McCall was awarded an OBE for services to women in business.
“Marketing has been at the heart of my career,” she says.
“It has the power to make a meaningful impact on every business by changing consumer perceptions, driving growth and inspiring change by being at the forefront of innovation and product development.
“I’m looking forward to working with the Society to champion marketing’s critical role in our rapidly evolving world.”
McCall replaces Saller who served as president for eight years and was previously the chief innovation and marketing officer at Diageo. She retired in 2020 after spending 21 years at the business and was awarded a CBE in The Queen’s 2020 Honours List for services to business and equality.
The appointment comes as The Marketing Society has been actively trying to bridge the gap between CEOs and marketers through its events and content. The Society’s CEO Sophie Devonshire says the appointment of McCall helps to “elevate” the marketing profession.
“Having a leader of Dame Carolyn’s calibre, who has successfully led multiple complex organisations and recognises and champions the power of marketing, is incredibly significant,” she says.
McCall will take up the role this month.
