Mercedes-Benz USA Announces New Executive Appointments

MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced today the promotion of Bernhard (Bernie) Glaser to vice president and managing director Mercedes-Benz Vans USA and the promotion of Drew Slaven to vice president, marketing, Glaser's former position.  These appointments are effective as of January 1, 2014.

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In his new role as vice president and managing director Mercedes-Benz Vans USA, Glaser will be responsible for all aspects of business operations including the sales, marketing, service and parts of Mercedes-Benz Vans.  This newly created position will support Daimler's recently announced realignment of the company's business divisions, creating individual reporting structures for Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Trucks.

"Bernie brings extensive experience in product management, marketing, pricing and volume planning to drive the growth of the Mercedes-Benz Van division," said MBUSA president and CEO, Steve Cannon. "His outstanding leadership and product focus will cement an extremely positive future for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S."

In his current position as vice president marketing Glaser is responsible for marketing communication, product management, market research and smart. He began his career in 1992 with Daimler AG in Germany, first in strategic product planning and later as worldwide product manager for the E-Class.  In 1998, he came to MBUSA as department manager, coupes and convertibles, responsible for overseeing all product management of the company's SL, SLK, CL and CLK model lines for the U.S. market, including planning volumes, price positioning, and equipment level strategy.  Three years later, he returned to headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany as executive assistant to the member of the board responsible for worldwide sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart.  Glaser rejoined MBUSA in 2003 as general manager, product management and was appointed vice president, marketing in 2012.

In his new role, Drew Slaven will be a member of MBUSA's executive management team with overall responsibility for marketing communications, market research and product management for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S.  Since 2007, Slaven has served as general manager, marketing services for MBUSA.

"Drew will be a key part of our plan to grow the Mercedes-Benz brand and to bring the brand to new buyers across our traditional, digital and event communication platforms," said Cannon.  "His broad base of marketing expertise will play an integral role in the largest product offensive in our company's history."  The company plans to introduce 30 new products in a seven-year period.

Slaven's marketing career spans more than two decades, beginning as a media planner with DDB Needham Advertising developing media strategies for GTE and American Airlines.  After two years, he moved to McCann-Erickson, overseeing the advertising of the Johnson & Johnson and Ferrero clients.  Before joining MBUSA in 2002, Slaven was manager of mass communications at J.P. Morgan Chase responsible for consumer advertising for Chase Bank.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States.  MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 13 model lines ranging from the sporty CLA-Class four-door coupe to the flagship S-Class and the SLS AMG GT.  

MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans, and smart products in the U.S.  More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbsprinterusa.com and www.smartusa.com.

Photos of Bernie Glaser and Drew Slaven are available to accredited journalists on our media site at www.media.mbusa.com.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA

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