• Ad Age, Friday, February 29, 2008 12 PM

An overhaul of senior management at Unilever expands the roles of two key Indian executives--and the odds one will eventually succeed Patrick Cescau, 59, as CEO. Vindi Banga, 53, now president-Foods, will also oversee Home and Personal Care. Harish Manwani, 54, now president-Asia/Africa, adds Central and Eastern Europe to his duties, putting most developing markets under his leadership.

Doug Baillie, 52, born in Zimbabwe, will move from CEO of Hindustan Lever to become president of Western Europe, which will now operate as a separate unit from the rest of Europe. The moves complete a near-total overhaul of senior leadership at Unilever over three years.

The brand-development organization Banga will lead has responsibility for advertising and product development. Global managers for individual categories, such as hair care, and major brands, such as Dove, will report to him. The regional operating units, such as those led by Polk in the Americas or Manwani in developing markets, will oversee aspects of marketing other than advertising, including media buying.

Read the whole story at Ad Age »