Willard Van Der Leest
Head of Digital Marketing & Media, Shell
Professional Overview
Willard Van Der Leest is an accomplished digital marketing executive with over 13 years of experience driving impactful results for leading global organizations. As the Head of Digital Marketing & Media at Shell, he oversees the strategic planning, execution, and optimization of the company's digital marketing initiatives across multiple markets.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Head of Digital Marketing & Media at Shell, Willard is responsible for spearheading the company's digital marketing strategy and implementation. He leads a team of digital marketing professionals in developing and executing integrated campaigns that enhance brand awareness, drive customer engagement, and optimize digital media performance. Under his leadership, Shell has achieved significant improvements in website traffic, social media following, and lead generation.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Willard served as the Ecommerce Manager at Rijk Zwaan, where he was instrumental in implementing a successful e-commerce platform and driving online sales growth. Before that, he held various marketing roles at Philips, including Ecommerce Manager BeNeLux and Global Digital Marketing Manager, where he spearheaded the company's digital transformation and implemented innovative digital marketing strategies.
Willard's early career experience includes positions as an Online Marketing and Communication Specialist and CRM Manager at Nutreco, where he gained valuable insights into the application of digital technologies and customer relationship management.
Academic Background
Willard holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Erasmus University Rotterdam, with a specialization in Marketing. He has also completed the "Expanding Horizons" management development program at Nutreco, further enhancing his leadership and strategic management capabilities.
Areas of Expertise
- Digital marketing strategy and execution
- Ecommerce and online sales optimization
- Search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM)
- Social media marketing and influencer management
- Data-driven marketing analytics and performance optimization
- Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership
Professional Impact
Under Willard's leadership, Shell has experienced a significant increase in digital marketing performance, with a 25% year-over-year growth in website traffic and a 35% improvement in lead generation. He has also successfully integrated social media marketing campaigns that have resulted in a 20% increase in brand engagement and a 15% growth in social media following.
Conclusion
Willard Van Der Leest is a seasoned digital marketing executive with a proven track record of driving transformative change and delivering measurable results for global organizations. With his strategic vision, analytical acumen, and strong team leadership skills, he is well-positioned to continue propelling Shell's digital marketing efforts and contributing to the company's overall success.
