The Principal Financial Group® today announced that Elizabeth Brady has joined the company as senior vice president and chief marketing officer (CMO), effective September 2, 2014. As CMO, Brady assumes overall responsibility for global marketing, including branding, advertising, media relations, digital marketing, sponsorships, data analytics, multi-cultural marketing, research and business intelligence. She will be based in Des Moines, Iowa. She replaces Mary O’Keefe, who retired from The Principal® in June 2014.

Most recently, Brady served as president of segmentation solutions at Nielsen Corporation, New York, N.Y. Prior to her current role, she was the global head of marketing effectiveness also at Nielsen.

“As one of the top 30 money managers in the world, The Principal is committed to continuing to build a global brand that champions financial security among businesses and individuals,” said Larry Zimpleman, chairman, president and chief executive officer – The Principal Financial Group. “A seasoned strategist with a proven track record in global marketing and branding, as well as a deep background in consumer research, Beth brings added strength to our existing management team. The breadth and depth of this team further positions The Principal as a powerful force in the global investment management marketplace,” said Zimpleman.

“I look forward to working with this talented team to build The Principal brand both in the U.S. and globally, and to expand its leadership position within the financial services sector,” said Brady.

Prior to her roles at Nielsen Corporation, Brady spent more than a decade at General Mills Inc. as an officer of the corporation and business unit leader with profit and loss responsibility over several packaged goods brands. Prior to General Mills, Brady held marketing roles at Wise Foods, Inc., Best Foods, Inc., and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Brady earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics from St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y., and a Master of Public Policy, Administration with a focus on International Trade from the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.

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About the Principal Financial Group

The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal®)1 is a global investment management leader offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500®, the Principal Financial Group has $517.9 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 19.4 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

1 “The Principal Financial Group” and “The Principal” are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

2 As of June 30, 2014.