It appears the rumors that began circulating a couple months ago that Dr. Olaf Göttgens – the current Vice President of Brand Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars – may be leaving the company are indeed true, as Daimler today has announced that Anders-Sundt Jensen will replace Göttgens in the role beginning October 31st.  Daimler's details of Olaf's departure are scarce, with the company noting he will be leaving "in order to take on new professional challenges."  A quick search on Google, however, confirms that Olaf will be taking on the new role of CEO for Munich-based eyeglass maker the Rodenstock Group.

As for Jensen, he has served with the company since 1989, holding a number of different leading positions.   From 2000 to 2004 Jensen was President and CEO of the sales organizations DaimlerChrysler Denmark and DaimlerChrysler Sweden. Since 2005, he has been Vice President Sales and Marketing at smart, and at the start of 2007, he became Head of the smart Brand Management Team.  Under his new role, Jensen will report to Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, responsible for Sales and Marketing.

On a side note, I will state that as a fellow marketing aficionado, I'm sad to see Olaf go.  His approach in communicating the Mercedes brand was very much aligned with the vision shared by the eMercedesBenz team, and it's our hope that Jensen in his new role will share the same foresight and vision held by his predecessor.

To learn more about Dr. Olaf Göttgens departure from the company as well as Anders-Sundt Jensen being named the new Vice President of Brand Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars, keep reading for the official press release.

Enjoy ladies and gentlemen.



OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Anders-Sundt Jensen appointed new head of Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars

Stuttgart – From 1st November, 2008, Anders-Sundt Jensen will be Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. He succeeds Dr. Olaf Göttgens, who leaves Daimler AG on 31st October, 2008 in order to take on new professional challenges.

Since joining the company in 1989, Anders-Sundt Jensen has held different leading positions within the organisation. Among other functions he was responsible for the sales strategy of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and the product management for the A- and C-Class model ranges. From 2000 to 2004 Jensen was President and CEO of the sales organisations DaimlerChrysler Denmark and DaimlerChrysler Sweden. Since 2005, he has been Vice President Sales and Marketing at smart and furthermore since the start of 2007 Head of smart Brand Management Team. Anders-Sundt Jensen will remain responsible for these functions until a decision regarding succession has been made.

Jensen will report to Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, responsible for Sales and Marketing.

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