Lexus hunts for UK head of marketing

Toyota-owned luxury marque Lexus is looking for a top marketer following the promotion of its general manager of marketing David Brimson to national manager of marketing for both Toyota and Lexus in Canada.

Brimson joined Lexus (GB) in 1998 as head of marketing, and oversaw the strategic separation of Lexus from parent Toyota in the UK. He was responsible for setting up the 51 Lexus Centres in the UK. He worked for Rover and Nissan before joining Toyota in 1995.

Until a replacement is found, his duties are being undertaken by Lexus general manager for strategy and planning Jan Kidacki.

The UK is the second-largest market for Lexus after the US. From 2005, Toyota will start selling its luxury cars under the Lexus marque in its home market, Japan.

Lexus will be the first luxury marque to market hybrid electric/ petrol cars when it launches models using the new technology later this year. Parent Toyota already sells the hybrid electric/petrol Prius family hatchback.

Lexus retains Saatchi & Saatchi for its advertising and Zenith Optimedia handles its media buying and planning.