Burger King Corp. has announced that Russ Klein, the company's president, global marketing strategy and innovation, will resign effective Dec. 15 due to personal reasons. Peter Robinson, BKC's former president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business segment, will oversee the global marketing function on an interim basis while the company conducts an executive search.
Despite successful and innovative advertising campaigns like Whopper Freakout, franchisees began questioning the company's direction this year as several controversial ads angered consumers and sales began to slide. Franchisees also were upset by BKC's decision to divert a portion of their Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper rebates in order to fund an increase in ad spend and have filed suit.
In September, John W. Chidsey, BKC's chairman and chief executive, sent an e-mail to the chain's franchisees, notifying them of Klein's taking a temporary leave of absence and wishing him a speedy return.
Klein has decided to make the temporary leave permanent, saying in a statement, "After thoughtful consideration, I have decided that now is the time to write the next chapter of my life. It's from my heart that I say Burger King Corp. is an exemplary company with limitless potential. It is in the superb hands of the entire global executive team led by my friend and colleague, John Chidsey.
"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 King family much continued success."
Chidsey thanked Klein for 6 1/2 years of service to BKC and "for his many contributions," crediting his executive and marketing leadership as a key factor in the company's six consecutive years of positive comparable sales through fiscal 2009. During Klein's tenure, the company was also named by Ad Week as "one of the top three industry-changing advertisers within the last three decades and being recognized by Interbrand on its 2009 Top 100 Best Global Brands list. Russ has been a valued member of the global executive team and his passion and dedication will be missed.
"Over the past several years, Russ has built and cultivated a strong marketing leadership team," Chidsey said. "I am confident that with Peter Robinson's oversight of this team, combined with his extensive operations and marketing experience, BKC will continue to deliver compelling advertising, innovative promotions and exceptional products that we have become globally recognized for and our guests have come to expect."
Robinson has served on the global executive team for more than three years. Robinson's career spans more than 30 years in the consumer foods industry. He has extensive leadership and marketing experience with brands such as the Frito-Lay International Division of PepsiCo, Kraft General Foods and Procter & Gamble.
