Andy Pharoah

Senior Vice President
Corporate Affairs, Sustainability & Strategy
Wrigley 
@andrew_pharoah

Wrigley — a division of Mars — has operations in 50 countries, net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including petcare, chocolate, gum, food, drinks and symbioscience. Leading the communications is Andy Pharoah who has been with Wrigley since 2008 in EMEA. Eighteen-months later, he was promoted to his current global role and is now based in the company’s Chicago headquarters.

Pharoah reports to president Martin Radvan and is a member of Wrigley’s leadership team, as well as the Mars Corporate Affairs Leadership Team and the Mars Sustainability Leadership Team. 

His responsibilities encompass all aspects of corporate affairs, leadership of global sustainability, and leadership of the development and deployment of Wrigley business strategy. He’s also vice president of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation; a member of the board of directors for Keep America Beautiful; and president of the International Chewing Gum Association.

Previously he spent 13 years with Hill + Knowlton, where he worked with a wide range of companies, governments and NGOs, as head of the corporate practice for Europe, Middle East and Africa. His early career was spent working in UK politics. 

Please share a notable career highlight. 
I think it has been projects I have been involved with India Mint Farms or Micro-Entrepreneurs in Kenya where we have combined social and business purpose to improve livelihoods and business results.

What is the most rewarding/challenging aspect about a career in communications/marketing?
It is fundamentally interesting. No two days are the same - and you're rewarded for having a clear point of view and being willing to challenge.

What skills/experience will the CCO of the future need that may not be required today?
They need to be first a business leader and secondly have a communications expertise with the ability to build true social communities.

What skill/experience is required of today's CCO that might not be as relevant in the future?
The fundamentals will stay the same but the landscape in which we operate will be faster, more transparent and more complex. Niche approaches are less likely to work

Who or what inspires you to be your best? 
Very strong purpose, values and principles - we have all of those at Mars.

What is on your must-read/view/listen to list? 
To be honest I read watch almost completely for entertainment. So it would be the next film Richard Curtis makes.

Most interesting place you've traveled to?
There are so many. Vietnam or China probably rank as the most interesting.