Audi marketing chief Brotherton returns to Volkswagen

Audi marketing chief Nigel Brotherton (pictured) has left the company after just a year to return to Volkswagen.

Brotherton, who joined Audi as head of marketing in October last year (MW September 15, 2005), left to become head of loyalty at VW earlier this month. He was previously head of marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Audi says no decision has been made on a replacement for Brotherton but industry sources believe one of the frontrunners could be Audi brand communications manager Chris Hawken. Hawken, former head of marketing at Skoda, joined Audi last year and reported to Brotherton.

Brotherton, who replaced Gary Savage at Audi, was promoted to head of marketing at VCV in 2004 (MW July 29, 2004). He moved from his role as customer relationship strategy manager at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, where he was also head of advertising and communications for six years in the 1990s.