Renault Uk Hires Chris Hawken As New Marketing Communications Manager

MAPLE CROSS, UNITED KINGDOM – September 11, 2009: Renault UK has hired well-respected car marketer, Chris Hawken, as its new Marketing Communications Manager with immediate effect.

Reporting to Marketing Director, Phil York, Chris will oversee a team of 16, and his role will encompass all activities related to Renault brand marketing, ranging from national advertising and promotions, digital, web and CRM activity for both the car and van ranges.

Chris who is 44, was born in Redruth, Cornwall and studied Business at Coventry University. He started his automotive career as a graduate trainee at Rover, covering fleet and area business manager roles over a five-year period. He joined Volkswagen Group in 1994 and during his 14-year stint there, held numerous senior roles. Among them, Head of Marketing for Skoda UK, during which time he was awarded ‘Marketer of the Year’ by the CIM and Marketing Week magazine for his contribution to the turnaround of the brand. This was followed by three years in Singapore as General Manager, Marketing for VW Asia-Pacific, and most recently back in the UK as head of Brand Communication at Audi UK. He left to set up his own brand consultancy business, Blue Tangerine, in September 2008, but the lure of a fresh challenge was too appealing to resist.

Speaking about his appointment, Chris said; “I love the Renault brand, its rich heritage and history of innovation, and I look forward to contributing towards building our market share back up to where it was in 2004 through strong, compelling and consistent brand communication.”

Phil York, Marketing Director, Renault UK commented, “We’re delighted to have Chris on board, especially at such a crucial time for our brand. We’ve got some really exciting products and innovative marketing programmes to launch over the next 12 months and I’m sure his wealth of brand and agency experience, together with his creative passion will ensure he makes an immediate impact.”

Chris is married with two children and lives in Thame, Oxfordshire