Marc Burns Appointed As Alfa Romeo National Marketing Manager

MARC BURNS APPOINTED AS ALFA ROMEO NATIONAL MARKETING MANAGER

Marc Burns has been appointed Alfa Romeo National Marketing Manager, joining the Australian importer from Leo Burnett Advertising, where he was Business Director on the Subaru account.

The move for Marc Burns represents his first career move away from the advertising agency side of the business, having started his career in Adelaide with Clemenger BBDO, before moving to Sydney to work on the Volkswagen account as Account Director with Foster Nunn Loveder. He joined Leo Burnett Sydney in 2001 as Business Director.

Marc Burns’ work for his clients has been recognized around the world, with him working in the teams that won a Gold Clio in 2000 – the only Australian agency to win a Clio award that year – for their work on the South Australian Lotteries Commission account and in the same year, a New York Festivals - Gold WorldMedal for Orlando Wyndham. This year his team collected at Silver Lion at Cannes for their advertising for Bundaberg Rum.

“We made a very deliberate decision to appoint a new marketing manager with a wealth of agency experience,” says Kevin Wall, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia. “We wanted someone who knows how advertising agencies work, can talk to creatives and imbue them with the passion and spirit of Alfa Romeo and who can drive our dollar further in media buying. Not only does Marc fulfill all these requirements, his personal passion for Alfa Romeo, which includes restoring a classic Alfa, proves he has an a clear understanding of the devotion that an Alfa Romeo can generate in its owners and spirit that drives forward the brand.”

Alfa Romeo returned to Australia in 1998 with Australian-owned importer Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd at the wheel. Under the Sydney-based company’s guidance, the entire European range of Alfa Romeo models has been launched in Australia and sales have grown every year to a planned sales total of 2600 cars in 2003. Alfa Romeo has established itself as the brand in the sports prestige and luxury sectors for car buyers who do not want the cold austerity of its German rivals and who desire more style, performance and value for money in their cars.

The range, which uniquely includes two holders of the European Car of the Year title, opens with the Alfa Romeo 147 and is topped by the 184 kW Alfa Romeo 156 GTA. It includes models such as the legendary Alfa Romeo Spider, the Alfa Romeo GTV and the luxurious Alfa Romeo 166. Alfa Romeo has committed to growing into new sectors with commitments for both a Sports Utility Vehicle, heralded by the Alfa Romeo Kamal shown at Geneva this year, and a range topping super sports car to be added to the range by 2005. (ends) For further information, please contact Kevin Wall Tel: (02) 9558 7111 General Manager Fax: (02) 9558 7722 Alfa Romeo Australia E: [email protected]

Edward Rowe Tel: (02) 9558 7111 Public Relations Manager Fax: (02) 9558 7772 Alfa Romeo Australia Mob: 0407 913 244 E: [email protected]

Alfa Romeo Media web site: http://media.ateco.com.au/