Unilever
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Ad and marketing spend will reach "record levels" in 2001, with marketing budgeted at approximately $4 bil., Unilever says Feb. 7. Continued divestitures of lesser brands will contribute to expanded marketing support for leading brands, Chairman FitzGerald Burgmans announced, noting around 250 additional brands will be divested during the year. Global personal care sales grew 6% for the quarter and year, closing 2000 at $10.4 bil. ([Euro]11.32 bil.) and the quarter at $2.79 bil. ([Euro]3.04 bil.) North American home and personal care volumes grew 4% partly due to strong sales of Dove, Caress, Suave and the relaunch of Salon Selectives, the firm states. Unilever sales increased 7% to $40.22 bil. ([Euro]43.79 bil.) for the year including the Best Foods acquisition and grew 19% to $11.2 bil. ([Euro]12.2 bil.) on constant currency basis. Net profit before tax decreased 39% to $2.45 bil. ([Euro]2.67 bil.) for the year