New Kantar Role Straddles TNS and Millward Brown

Kantar has moved Adrian Gonzalez into a broader group role in charge of its Consumer Insights businesses - he was previously CEO of Millward Brown's Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific (AMAP) region. TNS APAC CEO Chris Riquier is among those leaving the business in the restructure.

Gonzalez (pictured) joined Millward Brown in 1999, opening the firm's first office in Australia; then opened and led operations in New Zealand, Japan, Vietnam and Korea; and helped launch the China JV, Millward Brown-ACSR. After this, he was named Head of Greater China and COO of AMAP, and moved to the CEO role in 2013. His new title is CEO Kantar Consumer Insights, North Asia, South East Asia, Pacific.

According to an internal document, the move is part of a plan to create a more integrated consumer insights offering from TNS and Millward Brown. Spokesperson Mandy Pooler confirmed to DRNO that as a result of these changes, which also impact IMRB in India, the company has let go of 'a small number of senior people' in key markets. In APAC, Riquier is leaving as both the TNS and Millward Brown consumer insights businesses now report to Gonzalez.

Pooler commented: 'We've changed the management group at the top in certain key countries, which is in response to evolving client needs. We are maintaining all of our operating brands, and at the very top, we want someone in charge of our consumer insights businesses'.

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