Bob Gamgort Resigns as Mars' North American President

Highly Respected Marketer Accustomed With Abundant of the Aliment Giant's Recent Success Bob Gamgort, longtime North American admiral of aliment behemothic Mars, has resigned.

It's cryptic area Mr. Gamgort, one of the a lot of Respected marketers in the business, will acreage next, and whether a backup has been named. "We can affirm that Bob Gamgort, all-around admiral of Mars Chocolate, has absitively to leave Mars," a aggregation backer said in a statement. "We are aghast to see him go and acknowledge him for all of his contributions over the accomplished 10 years. Bob has agreed to argue with us through anniversary to ensure a absolute alteration and Paul S. Michaels, CEO of Mars, will administer the amber business until a almsman is named."

In his role, Mr. Gamgort oversaw Mars' multibillion-dollar bite food, pet affliction and capital meal businesses in the U.S. and Canada. The aggregation afresh additional its cake business afterward its alliance with Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.

Mr. Gamgort launched his business career at Kraft Foods, and after spent time managing advertising, advocacy and civic contest at Major League Baseball.

He abutting Mars in 1998 as VP-marketing for the U.S. Snackfoods analysis and in 2002 was answer to North American president. Mr. Gamgort is accustomed with abundant of the marketer's success, accepted for adventure affecting moves if necessary. If sales of Snickers began aged a few years ago, for example, Mr. Gamgort confused out the 20-year adept and bite aliment arch Martyn Wilks.

Mars' artistic brands in the U.S. are abundantly handled by Omnicom Group agencies. TBWA Worldwide handles the Pedigree, Snickers, Skittles and Starburst, while BBDO Worldwide does plan for the M&Ms, Milky Way and, recently, agilely best up an appointment Fling. Mars aswell works with Nitro Group for its Twix brand.

Mars is a carefully held, family-owned business, based in McLean, Va. With the barring of Skittles and Starburst, Mars has focused its business efforts in amber and pet food. Mars' M&Ms are bound in an advancing action with Hershey's flagship amber bar for bazaar supremacy. Recent spikes in article costs accept decrepit the picture.

Together Mars and Wrigley additional measured-media spending in 2008, to $546 million, from $522 actor in 2007. The figures, from TNS Media Intelligence, exclude, Internet, outdoor, and civic atom radio.