Traci Alford Named President and CEO of Effie Worldwide

Effie Worldwide’s Board of Directors announced today that Traci Alford has been appointed President and CEO of Effie Worldwide.

Alford has spent her career in marketing around the world, from her native Australia to the United States, France, United Kingdom and, most recently, Singapore as the VP External Relations, Asia Pacific at Shell International. Prior to joining Shell in 2013, she spent a total of 13 years at Cadbury Schweppes in a variety of marketing and business roles starting in Australia as a Senior Product Manager for Schweppes, and eventually Global Business Development Director for the company.  In the early '90s, she spent three years at Walmart in a senior national sales role for Dr. Pepper and 7Up.  Her career has been dedicated to delivery and growth for customers, brands and stockholders, with a strong focus on ROI. 

“Traci has an impressive global marketing track record and will bring a strong client-side perspective to her role and the organization,” said Daryl Lee, Global CEO, Universal McCann, Chairman of the Effie Worldwide Board of Directors. “She’s inheriting a powerful brand, and a dedicated team, and the Board looks forward to partnering with her in this next exciting chapter for the Effies.”

“Effie Worldwide sets the global standards in marketing effectiveness, something that is core to every marketing professional's work and essential for the dynamic communications and ever changing business environment,” said Alford. “I look forward to working with the globally renowned board, the excellent and dedicated Effie team and the greater marketing community to further the mission of the Effie brand. I would especially like to thank Neal as he embarks on his next challenge. He leaves the organisation well positioned for the future.”

As President and CEO, Alford will oversee Effie Worldwide’s 48 Effie Awards programs and strategic partnerships to develop and evolve the nonprofit’s education initiatives, including the Effie Index, case study database and the legacy of the brand’s authority on marketing effectiveness for nearly 50 years. She will officially join Effie Worldwide in August 2017 at its New York headquarters and will report to the Effie Worldwide Board of Directors. 

Outgoing Effie Worldwide President and CEO, Neal Davies, who announced earlier this year that he would be relocating his family closer to his native United Kingdom, was recently appointed chief executive at Irish International BBDO.   

MediaLink handled the search for Davies’ successor at Effie Worldwide.