Merck: Michael Nally to leave as CMO after allegedly being denied promotion

Merck & Co Inc. will lose another top executive after chief marketing officer Michael Nally has been confirmed to leave his post. He will be the second top executive to exit this year.

Reason for stepping down

Merck confirmed that CMO Nally is set to step down at the end of this month. His departure is earlier than the company’s CEO and president, Kenneth Frazier, who will retire in June.

Reuters reported that once Nally leaves, he will be pursuing other opportunities outside of the company. However, there is a report that stated he is actually withdrawing from his job after being denied a higher position.

It was said that he is ending his almost 20-year service at Merck to seek another opportunity after losing his chance to be Frazier’s replacement once he retires in a few month's time. Nally was said to be in the running for the CEO spot, but the company picked Robert Davis instead to fill for the outgoing president.

Davis is said to have an impressive resume, but he has only been working with the company for four years. On the other hand, Nally has been helping with Merck’s success for nearly two decades now. Whatever the real reason is, the company praised him for his dedication and honest service.

“As our chief marketing officer, Mike has charted ambitious goals for our human health franchises, and has been instrumental in shaping our strategy and ensuring that Merck is well-positioned for a successful future,” CEO Kenneth C. Frazier said via press release. “Mike’s unwavering commitment to Merck’s core values coupled with his inclination to seek new and better ways to meet the needs of today’s patients as well as those we hope to serve in the years ahead have left an enduring mark on Merck, and he will be missed.”

The newly-assigned replacement for Michael Nally

Frank Clyburn, Merck’s chief commercial officer, will take over and replace Nally as the president of the Human Health business. He will also be leading the firm’s marketing and commercial operations for the Human Health P&L. He will start working under his new designative job on April 1, 2021, and will be reporting directly to Robert M. Davis.

“I have tremendous respect for Frank’s strategic and operational excellence, and believe he is the perfect person to lead our ongoing success in Human Health,” Davis said with regards to Clyburn’s new assignment. I look forward to continuing to work with him as we advance Merck’s mission to save and improve lives.”