Burger King's marketing head quits
11 Nov 2009
Burger King Global Chief Marketing Officer Russ Klein has resigned. He had steered the brand from the brink of collapse, though for the past 8 months Burger King's same-store sales began to decline in March, with franchisees demanding changes in the marketing set up.
The company said he left for personal reasons.
Peter Robinson, most recently president of Burger King's Europe, Middle East and Africa division, will oversee global marketing while the company conducts a search for his replacement.
In a statement, CEO John Chidsey said, "Russ has been a valued member of the global executive team and his passion and dedication will be missed," and that Klein's "executive and marketing leadership was a key factor in the company, delivering six consecutive years of positive comparable sales growth."
Said Klein in a statement, "After thoughtful consideration, I have decided that now is the time to write the next chapter of my life. ... I feel certain that the marketing group will continue to excel under the leadership of Peter Robinson, who brings both the right credentials and experience to the interim post. I wish the entire Burger
