Avis Rent A Car loses top UK marketer

Avis Rent A Car UK director of sales and marketing Matt Andrews is quitting the company.

He leaves at the end of the month and it is not known if he has a job to go to. Andrews joined the car rental company in July last year from his position of vice-president of sales at American Express (MW July 25, 2002). He replaced Grahame Gallagher, who returned to his native Australia.

The Avis marketing team will take over Andrew’s responsibilities until the company decides whether to restructure. Managing director Michael White will oversee the department.

The company merged its UK marketing and retail departments in April this year after head of marketing Susan Yallop left. Sarah Kadodwala, formerly a regional sales director for Phones 4U, was appointed as head of retail sales with a remit to handle marketing. She reported to Andrews.

Avis uses Black Cat for its advertising and direct marketing and MediaCom for media planning and buying. The company spent £417,000 on advertising for the year to March (Nielsen Media Research).

Parent company Avis Europe is Europe’s largest car rental group. Like other car hire companies, it has suffered from the economic downturn and decline in business and travel. It has warned that full-year revenues are likely to be between five and ten per cent down on 2002.