Unilever chief scoops top marketing role at Pandora

Global jewellery brand Pandora has drafted in senior Unilever executive to spearhead its marketing operations following the departure of former Bulgari global marketing chief Carla Liuni who left in March after two years in the role to return to Italy.

Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson is currently global vice president at Unilever and will join Pandora this autumn, reporting directly to CEO Alexander Lacik, with a place on the executive leadership team.

The business recently moved its marketing, digital and technology hub from Denmark to London in an effort to attract the best talent from the UK, however, Gasco-Buisson will work out of the jewellery brand’s global headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The new CMO has an extensive experience of running transformation programmes across consumer brands in categories such as fragrances, beauty and personal care, and women’s health. Since 2020, she has headed the turnaround of Unilever’s Axe/Lynx brand in more than 80 markets.

Prior to Unilever, Gasco-Buisson worked at Procter & Gamble for 22 years, including as consumer health chief executive at P&G Ventures and global marketing and innovation director for Hugo Boss Fragrances.

Lacik said: “I am delighted that Mary Carmen will join our team and help us achieve the growth ambitions we have set with the Phoenix strategy. She brings stand-out experience in building, expanding and turning around global consumer brands.

“She has a deep understanding of today’s consumer, and she can translate this knowledge into innovative business strategies. Pandora stands stronger than ever, and we will build from this position of strength to extend the reach of our brand much further. I am confident that Mary Carmen will be a key contributor in doing just that.”

Gasco-Buisson added: “Pandora is the largest brand in global jewellery. It has strong recognition across markets and generations and is loved by millions of consumers globally. I am very happy to join this amazing brand and team and help bring Pandora to even more people around the world.”

Pandora’s data and analytics strategy is handled by 55 London, which works with in-house teams to maximise the potential for online activity to drive new and loyal customers.