• by Tanya Gazdik , 6 hours ago

Stellantis Global CMO Olivier Francois is leaving his position as top marketer after 21 years. 

Stellantis named a European CMO, but as of Monday, the North American CMO position is vacant. 

Tim Kuniskis was appointed head of American brands and North America marketing and retail strategy in July 2025 and is now the company’s highest- ranking North American marketing executive.

He reports to Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO and chief operating officer, North America & American brands.

Arnaud Belloni takes over as CEO of the FIAT, Abarth and Lancia brands and chief marketing officer for Europe.

François will support Belloni through mid-October and will continue to support Stellantis as a company strategic advisor, contributing to a broader range of strategic issues, including brand and product strategy.

Belloni returns to Stellantis, where he previously spent 16 years leading marketing strategy for its Italian and French brands.

He rejoins Stellantis from Renault Group, where he served as global chief marketing officer beginning in November 2020 and as chief branding officer for all the group’s brands beginning in May 2023.

Francois is a visionary marketing leader who has been behind some of the company’s most highly lauded efforts.

"Born of Fire" was recognized for five Cannes Lions at the 58th International Festival of Creativity. The 2011 Super Bowl commercial starred Eminem with the tagline ("Imported from Detroit.”

Several of his brand campaigns — such as the Fiat 600e "No More Grey” and multiple high-profile Jeep and Ram visual efforts — have consistently reached the Cannes shortlists and taken home creative accolades across various categories.

He was recognized by MediaPost as its “Automotive Marketer of the Year” for 2017.

Francois posted about his departure on LinkedIn. 

“It’s impossible not to move on with a heavy heart, but I leave with immense gratitude and pride for what we have accomplished,” he wrote, calling out several of his colleagues. 

“And in marketing, Piera Gallo, Anne Guillet, Randy Ortiz and Bruno Gisquet have been exceptional guardians of creativity,” he wrote. “Together, and with many others, I genuinely believe we helped make advertising history. They are also one of the strongest guarantees of success for my successor, Arnold Belloni, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with when he was leading Lancia in France around a decade ago.”