The Big Interview – Dee Dutta

Sony Ericsson’s title sponsorship of the WTA Tour has become a tour de force for the mobile brand. Dee Dutta, head of marketing at Sony Ericsson, explains the secret to the association’s success…

Profile

Dee Dutta, Corporate Vice President, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications

Dee Dutta joined Sony Ericsson in June 2002. As the global head of marketing, he has been instrumental in redefining the Sony Ericsson brand as one of the most dynamic and innovative mobile handset brands.

In 2006, he was appointed to the Executive Committee of Sony Ericsson. Under his leadership of marketing, Sony Ericsson has established itself as an iconic and differentiated brand in the minds of consumers across the world through award winning campaigns, retail presence and digital marketing activity.

In 2005, Dee concluded the landmark deal to become the title sponsor of the Sony Ericsson WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Tour. This was the largest deal in women’s sport and the biggest in tennis. Subsequently, he has built upon the WTA agreement to uplift Sony Ericsson’s brand presence through tennis around the world in both men’s and women’s tennis.

Prior to joining Sony Ericsson, Dee held a number of senior marketing and sales positions with fixed mobile operators such as WorldCom and T-Mobile UK, where he launched the first ever digital pre-paid service. This service transformed the UK mobile industry.

Before moving to the telecommunications sector in the mid-1990’s, Dee held a number of senior marketing roles both in the UK and globally with leading blue-chip FMCG brands including Procter & Gamble, Quaker Oats and Gatorade Sports Beverage.

In 2005, Dee was appointed as Independent Governor of Manchester Metropolitan University. He is also on the advisory board of Chief Marketing Officers Council for Europe and a regular contributor to marketing and strategy around the world. He is married and lives in London.