January 10, 2001

Kris Vilhelmsson Is Opel's First Brand Communication Director

Rüsselsheim. Kris Vilhelmsson has been appointed the first Brand Communication Director of Adam Opel AG, effective January 1, 2001, and reports directly to the Executive Director Brand Management, Alain Uyttenhoven. The 35-year-old Icelander assumes responsibility for all of Opel's European-wide advertising communication activities. He works in close cooperation with the Opel Brand Communications Group, which has been newly established by the Frankfurt-based agency, McCann-Erickson. Background: Opel's new strategy places the brand at the center of all its activities. The goal is to sharpen the focus on Opel's brand image. The newly founded Opel Brand Communication Group will, among other things, develop European advertising strategies for Opel.

"With his profound knowledge of marketing and advertising, Kris Vilhelmsson will provide valuable support in the development of our new brand architecture," says Opel Management Board member Alain Uyttenhoven. Kris Vilhelmsson, who holds a degree in business studies, had been working for the European unit of U.S. consumer-goods group, Procter & Gamble, since 1991.