Millward Brown hires Louise Ainsworth as CEO UK
Millard Brown has hired advertising veteran Louise Ainsworth to serve as the CEO of its UK operations. Ainsworth joins from WARC, and will replace incumbent Dale Beaton, who has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President and Global Practice Lead at the firm.
Prior to joining Millard Brown, Louise Ainsworth was the CEO of WARC. She led the global advertising and branding business for more than three years. Previously, she worked at Nielsen, in her last role as Senior Vice President of Advertiser Solutions, International, and prior to that, between 2006 and 2011, she was the Managing Director of the EMEA region. Earlier roles include Managing Partner of Consulting & Planning at OgilvyOne between 2006 and 2008, Managing Partner of Interactive at OgilvyInteractive between 2002 and 2005, Group Director of Engagement Management at Organic Online between 1999 and 2002, senior roles at the BBC including Head of Strategy, between 1998 and 1999, Consultant at Bain & Company between 1996 and 1998, and at Shell, where she started her career, in 1989.
Ainsworth holds a Bachelor in Arts in Engineering Science & Economics from the University of Oxford, a Master of Science in Management Science & Operational Research from the University of Warwick and a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD. Ainsworth was an Independent Trustee at the Nominet Trust between 2012 and 2014.
As CEO of Millward Brown's UK business, it will be Ainsworth’s duty to drive the firm’s business forward and meet client expectations. The responsibility includes driving ROI from communications across all media and deliver brand-led growth as well as delivering research programmes that increase marketing effectiveness for clients. She replaces Dale Beaton, who has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President and Global Practice Lead at the firm.
Commenting on her new role, Ainsworth says that she has “long admired” Millward Brown’s leadership in brand insight. Adding that the firm’s “consultative approach, focus on clients and ability to create innovative solutions around client needs. In an increasingly challenging marketing environment, clients need partners with deep expertise to help drive ROI from communications across all media touchpoints. Kantar and Millward Brown are uniquely positioned to provide the insights and advice required to support clients in all aspects of their marketing agenda. I feel privileged to become part of a company with such fantastic heritage and potential.”
Wragg adds that: "I am delighted that Louise is joining Millward Brown and my senior leadership team. Her extensive experience in senior consulting, digital and marketing roles makes her ideally suited to lead Millward Brown UK at a time when our portfolio of media and digital solutions is stronger than ever. She brings a perspective that will help us ensure we focus on answering the right questions – those that will enable our UK clients to grow the return on their brand investment across all media."