Unilever CEO Beats Rivals by Bucking Ad-Spend Trend†

Passed-Over Polman Bests Nestle, P&G -- but Isn't Bragging

Advertising Age, August 24, 2009 — You might expect a last laugh from Paul Polman, but he's having none of it, at least not yet and not publicly.

Four years ago, he left Procter & Gamble Co. after being passed over by executives closer to then-CEO (now chairman) A.G. Lafley. Two years later, he lost a closely watched beauty contest to become CEO of Nestle to Paul Bulcke, an insider with deeper roots. He finally got the brass ring that eluded him at the Earth's two biggest package-goods companies at No. 3 Unilever when he became CEO Jan. 1. And this third time is looking charmed.