Volvo lures top marketer from Audi

Car company Audi has lost one of its most senior European marketers in a defection to rival Volvo.

Matthias Kunst, director of brand strategy for Europe, is to join Volvo in a similar position created especially for him.

Reporting to Wolff Huber, president of marketing for Volvo Cars Europe, Kunst will be based in Brussels and will work alongside Bo Annvik, head of marketing.

Kunst will work with Forsman Bodenfors, Volvo’s lead global advertising agency, but will also have contact with UK agency Abbott Mead Vickers.BDDO.

Volvo is generally perceived as a conservative brand but is striving to be acknowledged for its progress in contemporary design. Kunst’s brief will be to work with the agencies to co-ordinate a consistent communication message across Europe.

Both Audi and Volvo refused to comment on Kunst’s move. An official announcement is expected in two weeks.

Volvo was acquired at the beginning of this year by Ford, which has since placed the brand in its new premium division, alongside Jaguar and Aston Martin.

In June, Dieter Laxy moved across from BMW to head global marketing for Volvo.