BP Lubricants recruits Vicki Kipling

BP Lubricants, parent company of Castrol, has appointed former Anheuser-Busch UK marketing director Vicki Kipling as global marketing communications manager.

Kipling has just started in the position and will work with creative and media agencies on marketing campaigns as well as working on Castrol’s sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup.

She will also manage relationships with Castrol brand ambassadors including Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and the recently signed Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured).

She left the Budweiser owner in April after seven years following the appointment of Andreas Hilger as UK marketing director for the newly merged Anheuser-Busch and InBev businesses.

Castrol is looking to leverage its sponsorship of the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments, after signing the biggest partnership in the company’s 100-year history.

Last month, it hired Ford Europe marketer Simon Meehan as sponsorship manager for Europe and Africa to ensure the sponsorship provides the maximum return on investment.

Prior to Anheuser-Busch, Kipling held a number of senior positions including marketing controller for St Ivel Shape and senior product manager at Black & Decker.

She will report to global brand director Des Johnson and replaces Vijay Solanki, who joined Blackberry owner RIM earlier this year.