CHICAGO -- The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. said that Mary Kay Haben has been named group vice president and managing director for North America, reporting to Bill Perez, president and CEO. Haben will lead the growth and development of Wrigley's U.S. and Canadian businesses, effective April 16, 2007.
In this role, she will also join Wrigley's Executive Leadership Team.
Haben brings to Wrigley extensive experience in global management after a 27-year-career at Kraft Foods Inc., where she most recently served as senior vice president of [image-nocss] open innovation, leading the company's innovation processes targeted at bringing outside ideas into the company and driving innovation culture change globally.
She has served in various executive positions at Kraft since 1979, including senior vice president of global convenience meals, grocery and snacks sectors from 2004 until 2006; group vice president and president of cheese, enhancers and meals from 2001 until 2004; group vice president and president, Kraft Cheese, Mexico and Puerto Rico from 2000 until 2001; and executive vice president and president, Kraft Cheese Division from 1998 until 2000.
Mary Kay has a proven track record for successfully managing fast-moving consumer goods businesses, growing existing brands and developing new product and packaging innovations, said Perez.
Wrigley is a leader in confections with a variety of products including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, lollipops and chocolateBrands include Wrigley's Spearmint, Juicy Fruit and Altoids, as well as Doublemint, Life Savers, Big Red, Boomer, Pim Pom, Winterfresh, Extra, Freedent, Hubba Bubba, Orbit, Excel, Creme Savers, Eclipse, Airwaves, Solano, Sugus, P.K. and Cool Air.
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