- Mars is set to eliminate top media executive Ron Amram’s role by the end of the year.
- Amram leads Mars’ global media strategy and manages top ad agency relationships.
- Mars recently awarded its $1.7 billion media business to Publicis.
Mars is set to eliminate its senior global media director role at the end of this year, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.
Ron Amram was brought on board by Mars in 2020 for the role to help elevate the company’s global media operation and improve and streamline its agency and vendor relationships. He’s responsible for the media strategy and buying for Mars brands such as M&M’s, Snickers, and Pedigree pet food.
It could not be immediately learned whether Amram would continue in the business in a new position or leave the company. Amram declined to comment. Mars didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Amram’s role is being eliminated just months after Mars completed a wide-ranging review of its agency partnerships in June, awarding its $1.7 billion media business to Publicis, which also picked up its commerce and influencer marketing assignments. Publicis won the sizable account from UK-based holding company WPP following a six-month review process.
During his nearly five years at the company, Amram spearheaded Mars’ global media transformation program, a multi-year initiative aimed at enhancing the company’s marketing capabilities in areas such as digital media and content. Prior to joining Mars, Amram was a longtime senior media executive at Heineken USA.
Mars is undergoing significant changes in other areas. The company is expected to complete a $35.9 billion acquisition of Kellanova, owner of brands including Pringles and Pop-Tarts, later this year. The megadeal will substantially broaden Mars’ snacking business, helping it push into new categories such as chips and crackers.
Other large advertisers have also had big shake-ups within their media divisions recently. Last year, Luis Di Como, a longtime senior media executive at Unilever, left the consumer-goods giant after 33 years amid a broader restructuring of the business, Business Insider first reported. In August this year, Adweek reported that Walgreens laid off its internal media buying team.
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