The European Marketing Confederation has selected the inaugural winner of the European Marketer of the Year, crowning Gráinne Wafer, Global Director, Beer, Guinness, Smirnoff & Baileys at Diageo, at a Gala ceremony held in Madrid last night.

The European Marketing Confederation (EMC), organised this competition, across its eleven member countries, to recognise and reward the outstanding contribution made to business by the region’s top marketing professional.

Each marketing association in Europe put forward their National Marketing Champions who went through an initial screening process. After the first round of the formal selection prosess , there were 8 finalists, all representing the very cream of the European marketing crop. An independent, professional jury interviewed each of the shortlisted candidates. All interviews were recorded and judged independently by each judge, to ensure the integrity and consistency of the process.

Chairman of the Jury, Martin Huisman commented: “It was an extremely tough competition. Afterall, every candidate is already a winner in their own country. Nevertheless the jury were unanimous in their selection of Gráinne Wafer. They were very impressed by Gráinne; her personal qualities as a leader, her contribution to the marketing profession and by her expertise in marketing as demonstrated by her significant achievements to business.”

EMC is proud to organize this high-quality competition to recognise the very best marketers in Europe and the critical contribution they make to our companies, to the European economy and to our society.

“The deeper meaning for organising this event is obvious. Marketing is a commercially crucial and ever-evolving profession in every economy. By creating this opportunity to platform top marketing leaders, EMC is highlighting the exciting career trajectory available to young marketers starting out, encouraging them to be ambitious in all they do. said EMC chairman, Ralf Strauss.

Gráinne Wafer added: “I’m honoured to receive this award. The role of senior marketers has never been more critical – to bring the voice of the consumer into the board room, providing navigation and inspiration for our businesses within the environments they operate and to use the power of our brands, and our role as story tellers to shape society for the better.”