So the wires were buzzing this week when AdAge.com broke the news that Jeff Bell--the DaimlerChrysler executive who, nearly single-handedly, led the auto giant's shift to online media and
marketing--is moving to Microsoft. Jeff served in a variety of roles at Chrysler, but was most recently vice president of product strategy for the Chrysler Group. We are also proud to remind everyone
that MediaPost named Jeff one of our Online All Stars in September 2005. This honor, by the way, came prior to
Advertising Age naming him Interactive Marketer of the Year, in its Nov. 7, 2005
issue.
Jeff, who is assuming the role of corporate vice president of global marketing, will report to Peter Moore, corporate vice president in charge of marketing for Microsoft's interactive
entertainment business. In case you don't know, that business includes the Xbox and games for Windows businesses. Peter is another fascinating exec whom this here Minute knew when he was at Sega.
Jeff's move is hardly surprising. He is moving from one of the most challenging industries, the auto business, to the dynamic world of technology and Internet-based businesses, entertainment and
near limitless horizons.
Jeff evangelized online marketing when it wasn't that cool--you know, during the dotcom bust. Believe me. I used to run into him at E3 and other major trade shows,
conferences, and events, and he'd wax eloquently about what he was trying to do at Chrysler. He was always enthusiastic, media-friendly, gracious to a fault, and passionate about his work. I have no
doubt that he'll perform in the same way at Microsoft and bring world-class smarts and expertise to that world-class organization.
Among Jeff's achievements at Chrysler: he led the launch of
the Dodge "Grab Life by the Horns" campaign, including the Hemi campaign and the Dodge and Aerosmith music alliance. He struck alliances between the Jeep brand and HBO's "Band of Brothers"; between
Jeep and "Lara Croft: The Cradle of Life"; and Chrysler, Hypnotic and Universal Pictures, which created the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival. Jeff also pioneered new approaches to urban
marketing, providing multicultural agencies with greater opportunities in the general market arena. He also began Chrysler's use of video game advertising and online marketing strategies.
We
wish Jeff well at Microsoft and look forward to following his work.