- David Gianatasio

BOSTON Computer giant Dell today said its chief marketing officer, Mark Jarvis, would exit this fiscal quarter, to be succeeded by Erin Nelson, who has been vp, marketing for Dell's operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

In a statement, the company said Jarvis would "provide ongoing counsel to Dell through the consulting business that brought him to the company."

Dell said Jarvis' impending departure follows his "transformation of Dell's marketing organization, including revitalizing the brand and instilling new levels of marketing effectiveness and efficiency." No other rationale was given.

The move comes slightly more than one year after Round Rock, Texas-based Dell tapped WPP Group for global marketing services following a review. WPP outpaced Interpublic Group in the final round. Dell spends an estimated $700 million annually on global advertising.

WPP spent much of this year forming and staffing Enfatico, a dedicated integrated marketing and communication firm to handle Dell's business worldwide. Former Digitas executive Torrence Boone was named Enfatico's CEO in May.

A Dell rep today said the exit Jarvis would have "no effect on our partnership with Enfatico." WPP could not immediately be reached for comment.

The global consolidation move and Enfatico itself have come under derision from some marketing bloggers and columnists, as the team-up has been slow to generate significant campaigns.

Jarvis' departure is part of a broader Dell restructuring that will also see Michael Cannon, president of global operations, depart. Both joined Dell in 2007.

Jarvis becomes the second high-ranking marketer -- and key decision maker in last year's review -- to exit Dell in recent weeks, following the departure of domestic vp, marketing Casey Jones in November.

The company has been caught up in the economic slump with its Q3 revenue declining 3 percent overall. Dell cut about 2,200 jobs during that quarter.