Lexus Marketing Exec Headed to Chrysler
August 15, 2007

Lexus marketing vice president Deborah Wahl Meyer is headed for the top Chrysler marketing post.

Chrysler confirmed today that Meyer is the new vice president and chief marketing officer of Chrysler, effective Aug. 28.

Meyer, 44, is considered a marketing whiz kid; Chrysler needs some marketing magicand some first aid for its damaged dealer relations; new Chrysler owners are bound to sweep some current folks and bring in new troops to achieve its ambitious plan to turn the company around in three years.

Chrysler has seen a mass exodus of marketing folks over the past year or so, including the top guy Joe Eberhard and the controversial Julie Roehm, now in a legal battle turned scandal with her most recent employer, Wal-Mart, as well as the very recent departure of George Murphy.

Meyer’s move from Lexus to Chrysler is part of the comings and goings we’re likely to see more of with Cerberus Capital Management having taken charge of the automaker last Monday and installing ex-Home Depot Robert Nardelli as its CEO.

Meyer is the first high-ranking executive to leave Toyota's U.S. sales office for a position at a domestic auto maker since 1989, the Wall Street Journal is reporting. Luring top people from Toyota and the other imports is often talked about and considered at Detroit auto companies, but rarely accomplished.

"One of Deborah's greatest strengths is her love for new challenges, and we understand the strong appeal of a top position at the new Chrysler," said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales executive vice president, said in a statement.

Lentz created Meyer with helping to elevate marketing for both the Toyota and Lexus brands. Her replacement has not yet been found, Toyota's statement said.

At Chrysler, Meyer will report to Steven Landry, executive vice president of North American sales, global marketing and services and parts. She will be responsible for marketing and advertising initiatives for the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands. She will oversee sales promotions and brand events. Andd she will provide strategic direction for the company's worldwide marketing efforts.

"Deborah Wahl Meyer has a proven track record in the automotive industry, both in North American and globally," said Landry. "She also clearly understands the dealer network and values partnering to create positive results."

About Meyer

Trade journal Automotive News recognized Meyer twice as one of the 100 Leading Women in the Automotive Industry, once in 2000 and again in 2005. She has also been inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Advertising Achievement.

At Lexus, Meyer, a Detroit-area native, has been responsible for all Lexus marketing activities, including advertising, market planning, promotions, direct marketing, interactive marketing, and vehicle accessory pricing. She also has been coordinating the division's long-range strategic planning.

Previously, she was corporate manager of marketing communications for Toyota. Prior to joining Toyota in 2001, Meyer worked at Lincoln-Mercury and Mazda. She also held the positions of brand manager for Ford de Brazil in San Paulo, Brazil; and product manager for W.L. Gore and Associates in Paris, France.

She is a graduate of The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; The Joseph Lauder Institute of International Studies in Paris, France; and Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Posted by Michelle Krebs at 8:04 AM under Chrysler , Commentary , News , Personalities , Toyota | Comments (2) | digg this | Seed Newsvine