Congratulations to the 2011 Internationalists of the Year

Eighteen international marketing leaders have been named Internationalists of the Year by The Internationalist. These individuals are truly the people behind today's outstanding marketing thinking and brand communications.

Without their extraordinary efforts, inspiration and energy amid today's "always on" world with increased emphasis on accountability and responsibility, many marketing programs simply would not have gotten off the ground. These Internationalists represent a variety of industries, locations and number of years in the profession, but all take the role of brand champion to heart.

The Internationalists include:

• Morten Albaek, Group SVP, Group Marketing & Customer Insight — VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS
• Barbara Basney, VP Global Advertising — XEROX
• Pete Blackshaw, Head of Global Digital & Social — NESTLE
• Kim Chrystie, Sr. Manager Advertising and Media Strategy- EMC
• Anna Griffin, VP Global Brands & Campaigns — JUNIPER
• Ben Jankowski, Group Head of Global Media — MASTERCARD WORLDWIDE
• Fritz Johnston, VP Global Brand Management & Advertising — THE BOEING COMPANY
• Susan Jurevics, SVP, Global Retail CRM and Brand Marketing — SONY CORPORATION
• Laurie Kasper, Global Media Manager — INTEL
• Sanjay Khosla, President Developing Markets — KRAFT FOODS
• Michelle Klein, VP Smirnoff Global Marketing/ Communications & Digital — DIAGEO
• Rob Langtry, Strategy & Marketing Officer, AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION
• James Moorhead, Associate Marketing Director — GILLETTE
• Erich Parker, Director of Corporate Strategic Communications — DU PONT
• Sue Shim, CMO of Global Marketing Operations — SAMSUNG
• Roshene Singh, Chief Marketing Officer — SOUTH AFRICA TOURISM
• Colin Westcott-Pitt, VP Marketing/ Dos Equis, Amstel Light and Newcastle Brown Ale- HEINEKEN
• Betsy Wilson, Director of Global Advertising — UPS

Today's Internationalists aim to present a consistent worldwide image while working to connect on an individual customer level. Many have championed new regions or new markets, coordinated global teams, or are advocates of international projects that simply would not have happened without their drive and perseverance. These leaders also recognize how today's social programs are paving the road for future generations of brand advocates throughout the globe, every day in our 24/7 world.

There may never have been a more exciting time to be a marketing leader, despite today's complexities. The global overlay of regulations, carbon footprints, CSR, cultures, languages, political environments and a myriad of differing perspectives all contribute to describing one of the world's most challenging occupations — played on a very public stage fraught with immediate customer reaction that directly affects a brand's potential for success.

Highlighting the people and ideas behind today's successful cross-border campaigns and breakthrough accomplishments is at the heart of The Internationalist's mission. All of these Internationalists have been nominated by their industry colleagues for their work in 2011. Final selections were made by the The Internationalist advisory board and editorial team. These men and women join 89 other individuals named since 2004.