Audi Australia gets a new CMO

Audi Australia has recruited one-time Austar product sales and marketing group director, Nikki Warburton, as its new chief marketing officer.

Warburton indirectly takes the reins from former amrketing and communications director Anna Burgdorf. Her appointed also comes after former GM of marketing, Kevin Goult, left the luxury automotive producer last year just prior to a restructure of the business that also saw Burgdorf gain marketing director responsibility as well as communications, and Joshua Wood promoted to lead customer experience and digital innovation.

Warburton was the group director across product, sales and marketing from 2012 until the sale of the pay TV business to Foxtel in 2012. During this time, she received eight Astra Awards for effective and outstanding consumer campaigns aimed at driving sales, retention and community engagement.

Prior to this, she worked in marketing and advertising, with a stint from 1994 to 1999 as general manager of marketing at Astra Automotive Group covering brands such as Hyundai, Chrysler Jeep and Audi.

In recent years, Warburton has been a women in TV mentor for Astra, an executive patron for Taronga Conversation Society, and on the foundation board of Shore School in Sydney.

“After a rigorous search, Nikki was an outstanding candidate and we are absolutely delighted to welcome her to Audi Australia,” local managing director, Paul Sansom, said.

“Nikki’s track record and breadth of experience speaks volumes about what she is capable of, and she already knows the Audi brand very well. She is no stranger to many of our key customers and dealers, which positions her very well to lead our marketing team as we focus on lifting the profile of the Audi brand to even greater heights.”

Commenting on her appointment, Warburton highlighted the strength of the Audi brand and said she was looking forward to working with Samson and the national dealer network.She officially takes up the post on 6 August.

“The automotive industry is my passion and I’m thrilled to be returning. I’m excited to again be part of such a sophisticated and innovative brand, with some exceptional new product that I am looking forward to showcasing in front of Australian consumers.”

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