Credit: Simon Sproule
Tesla has hired Former Renault- Nissan Communications Director Simon Sproule Tesla bound to manage marketing and public relations. It’s a coup for the green car automaker because Sproule was the communications director for Carlos Ghosn’s Renault SA-Nissan Motor Co. Alliance—the world’s biggest seller of battery-powered cars.
The news has somewhat flown under the radar, but with Sproule Tesla is getting someone with a passion for cars, media and travel, so it should be a really good fit.
Sproule will become vice president of communications and marketing this month. The two positions had been separated but Tesla has been in dire need of a communications leader since Ricardo Reyes left for Square in 2012.
Sproule will be busy: Tesla CEO Elon Musk is pushing forward with plans that will make the car company a global leader, including additions to its all-electric line-up including an SUV and a more affordable electric car, a push for the Model S and a major sales campaign in a tricky market: China.
Sproule has a lengthy resume that includes work for Land Rover, Ford, Jaguar and Aston Martin in diverse places like the U.K. Japan and France. He also brings tech experience from a post at Microsoft to the table. Sproule is also known for a cool, calm and collected demeanor, which will offset the sometimes hyperbolic and excitable Musk.
Mr. Sproule will formally commence with his duties later this month.
Sproule is jumping ship at a good time: on an annual basis, Tesla’s shares have risen 61 percent, while Nissan has stayed relatively stable (-1%).
Source: Clean Technica
