Euro chief walks out at Remington

Remington European marketing director Richard Rietjens has left the company after less than six months in the job. It is not known whether he has a job to go to.

Rietjens was formerly UK marketing director. He was given responsibility for Europe last year, following Peta Thorniley’s departure (MW September 12, 2002).

His exit follows a string of recent departures of senior management. Remington’s UK managing director, Simon Russell, also left last year following a reported rift with the company over brand strategy. Russell has since set up his own company, Vision 360, which specialises in turning around struggling brands.

Thorniley, formerly Remington’s UK marketing director, was promoted to the position of European marketing director following a shake-up, which resulted in the departure of international executive vice-president Wilan van den Berg (MW October 25, 2001).

Rietjens has yet to be replaced. UK marketing manager Michelle Simpson is understood to be taking over temporarily.

Remington, famous for its ad campaign starring its late chairman, Victor Kiam, uses Grey Worldwide to handle its global creative business. Last year, the company appointed Spirit to create a European campaign for its Big Shot hair dryer.