Zespri International’s global chief marketing, innovation and sustainability officer, Jiunn Shih, has exited the company after a nine-year tenure that saw him rise through the ranks to become one of the brand’s most influential global leaders.
Shih joined the New Zealand-headquartered business in 2016 as general manager of global marketing, before being promoted to CMO in 2018 and later taking on broader leadership roles—including chief growth officer and, most recently, global head of marketing, innovation, and sustainability.
Confirming his departure via a LinkedIn post, Shih wrote: “When I joined in 2016, we set out to double sales and build a world-class brand in a commoditised category. Together, we did so much more than that. We more than doubled Zespri sales to over NZ$5 billion, built the #1 fruit brand across our 15 core markets and embedded sustainability into the business strategy. All leading to significant growth in grower returns.”He added: “Along the way, I had opportunities to stretch professionally, adding to my responsibilities as CMO the corporate strategy, innovation and sustainability teams. I also sharpened the clarity of my own purpose: to build brands and businesses that are good for people and planet.”
Shih did not disclose his next destination but noted he would be taking a few weeks to decompress before starting his “next chapter in September.”
Under Shih’s leadership, the kiwifruit marketer expanded its global brand presence and pushed into new markets, while also embedding sustainability into its long-term strategy. He was named to Campaign Asia-Pacific’s CMO Power List in 2025, recognising his influence in shaping one of the world’s most distinctive fruit brands.
Prior to joining Zespri, Shih held senior marketing roles at Unilever, Syngenta, L’Oréal, British American Tobacco, and United Airlines, working across Brazil, China, the Netherlands, and Singapore.
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