Petranto (pictured) has been at Kantar since 2004 and is based in Boston. He will lead Kantar’s analytics work, including artificial intelligence-powered analytics and predictive technologies.

He replaces Gonzalo Fuentes, who has become chief operating officer for Kantar’s insights division.

Prior to his work in the company’s analytics department, Petranto created and led Millward Brown Analytics, Kantar’s in-house marketing analytics unit. 

He also previously served as president of marketing and planning systems at Kantar’s strategic research and analytic consulting offshoot.

Ian Griffiths, deputy chief executive and chief finance officer at Kantar, said: “Advanced analytics are crucial for marketing leaders as they seek to unlock the deeper consumer insights that can fuel growth. 

“The analytics practice is a strategic priority for Kantar. Chris has been core to the development of our analytics capabilities.”