By Donal O’donovan
Copyright independent
After a high-flying career abroad, Ms Mitchell returned to Ireland in 2020 and was CEO of Irish baby wipes producer -WaterWipes until 2022, helping lead the Drogheda-based business as it expanded into 50 markets.
Before that, she had been -global president of gum and mints at Mars Wrigley Confectionery, where she led business strategy, global innovation pipeline and brand strategy for brands including Orbit Extra, 5, Double-mint and Juicy Fruit.
She had previously been chief marketing officer for Wrigley and spent 18 years with Mars in several roles across multiple regions, including as European marketing director for Mars Foods Europe and marketing director of petcare for Mars Ireland.
Earlier in her career she worked with Nestle and Kerry Foods.
She now serves as an independent board adviser for businesses including O’Brien Fine Foods; independent director of Navi Group; and an independent director and chairwoman of Rose Confectionery, which is backed by Melior Private Equity.
Ms Mitchell said she was “genuinely delighted and honoured” to win
MII chief executive Shane McGonigle described Ms Mitchell as an exceptional C-suite business leader with unparalleled experience in global consumer packaged goods.
“Great marketers understand people, they know how to position brands to meet people’s needs and critically, they can action this by marshalling the resources of the business to deliver success,” he said. “Importantly, Orla has done this consistently over many years, in many categories and on many continents.”
He said Ms Mitchell has made every business she worked in more competitive by applying the basic principles of marketing – better customer relationships mean better business and more sustainable success.
Ms Mitchell said she was “genuinely delighted and honoured” to win the award.
“Marketing Institute Ireland has spearheaded the application of professional marketing in business since 1962, and it is a privilege to be recognised for my part in that journey,” she said.
“Ireland’s economic competitiveness demands professional marketing skills and MII are dedicated to delivering this.”
The CMO Summit takes place on October 7 at Windmill Lane.
