NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) announced today that Esther Lee will join the company as executive vice president and global chief marketing officer effective Jan. 12, 2015. She will report to Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Steven A. Kandarian and serve as a member of the company’s Executive Group.
In this role, Lee will lead Global Brand and Marketing with overall responsibility for continuing MetLife’s transformation to a world-class, consumer-led brand that puts the customer at the center of all business decisions. She will manage all aspects of global marketing, advertising and promotion.
“As MetLife focuses globally on meeting evolving consumer needs, Esther’s deep understanding of international brand and marketing dynamics and her success in leading the growth of established worldwide brands such as AT&T and Coca-Cola will be tremendous assets,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Steven A. Kandarian. “Her broad record of achievement in marketing, advertising and brand management will add a valuable perspective to the Executive Group as we seek new value creation opportunities and strive to develop new and simplified customer experiences.”
Lee joins MetLife from AT&T, where she was senior vice president, brand marketing, advertising and sponsorships. In this role, Lee was responsible for all brand marketing activities and the integration of brand leadership into the company’s business strategies across the $128 billion enterprise. Among her achievements, she drove the positioning of AT&T as a “Rethink Possible” brand focused on helping customers mobilize their world.
Prior to joining AT&T in 2009, Lee was chief executive officer for the North America division of Euro RSCG, responsible for 23 marketing services companies, including advertising, digital, direct, data, event, PR, music, promotion and field services. From 2002 to 2007, Lee was senior vice president and global chief creative officer for Coca-Cola. In 1997, Lee co-founded her own advertising agency, DiNoto Lee LLC.
“This is an exciting time to be joining MetLife,” Lee said. “As MetLife is undergoing a transformation to become a global, customer-centric brand, marketing will play a pivotal role. By driving MetLife’s strong iconic brand with best-in-class global marketing, the opportunity for growth and long-term shareholder value is immense.”
Lee earned a B.A. in economics from Cornell University.
About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.
