- Elaine Wong

Simon Clift is stepping down as the chief marketing officer of Unilever in the next few months, the company has confirmed.

Clift is a 30-year veteran of Unilever. He held several senior positions -- including president of marketing, chairman of personal care products in Latin America and group vp, personal care -- before rising to his post as the company's first CMO in 2008.

But now, nearly three decades after he first joined the multinational packaged goods company, Clift is retiring to “spend more time with his family in Brazil and pursue other creative opportunities,” Unilever rep Anita Larsen said.

During his time at Unilever, Clift helped develop global marketing strategies for brand power players like Dove. (The beauty brand’s “Campaign for Real Beauty,” for instance, was developed under his tenure.)

The announcement follows Unilever’s decision to retain its U.S. media planning and buying duties with MindShare after a seven-month review.

Unilever has not yet announced plans for a replacement or search for a new CMO.