Aston Martin nabs Tesla comms chief

BRITISH sportscar-maker Aston Martin has confirmed two key executive appointments, including the hiring of former Tesla communications boss, Simon Sproule.

Mr Sproule will start the role of director of marketing and communications on November 1, and will be responsible for all global marketing and communications activities for Aston.

Aston Martin chief executive officer Andy Palmer, who joined the British marque in September after more than 20 years with Nissan, announced the hiring of Mr Sproule, who also worked for the Japanese car-maker as a communications executive for several years.

He will be based at the company’s Gaydon, Warwickshire headquarters in the United Kingdom and report directly to Mr Palmer.

In his most recent role, Mr Sproule was the vice president of marketing and communications for Tesla Motors in California, a position he held for just eight months.

Prior to that, Mr Sproule has held senior communications and marketing roles with Nissan Motor Company in Japan, Nissan North America and the wider Renault-Nissan Alliance in France.

As well as a brief seven-month stint as a senior communications executive for Microsoft, Mr Sproule also held the role of vice president of communications for Jaguar Land Rover North America.

Mr Palmer also announced that Aston Martin’s current brand communications director Janette Green would add the role of director of the office of CEO to her responsibilities.

Ms Green, who has been with Aston for more than 10 years, will become a key adviser to Mr Palmer and lead “specific strategic projects” for the brand.

Ms Green’s current communications team will become part of Mr Sproule’s marketing communications portfolio.

Mr Palmer said Ms Green’s knowledge of the business will be invaluable as Aston Martin seeks to expand in the coming years.

“I am delighted that Janette has taken this additional role alongside her current brand role,” he said. “Her knowledge of Aston Martin and experience in both automotive and luxury arenas will be important as we embark on our most significant period of investment to date.”

Mr Palmer also welcomed Mr Sproule to the fold and added that his expertise would also be an asset to the brand moving forward.

“I am equally delighted to welcome Simon to the Aston Martin team. His wealth of experience in the marketing and communications arena is extremely valuable as we prepare the business for the next generation of Aston Martin products.”

Mr Palmer left his role as chief planning officer and executive vice-president, reporting directly to Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn in September to take the reins at Aston.

He was quickly replaced at Nissan by alliance partner Renault’s head of product planning Philippe Klein.