BMW UK corporate communications team announces industry's first dedicated new media PR role

The BMW corporate communications team is set to expand on March 31 with the
appointment of Duncan Forrester as the UK automotive industry's first dedicated
new media PR professional.


Soon after (April 21), Natalie Wakefield will be returning to her group
communications position following maternity leave. Martin Harrison therefore
returns to his press fleet co-ordination role in April, with Sarah Lovegrove
returning to BMW Financial Services.


Forrester's appointment follows a thorough search for an experienced PR
professional able to combine both BMW and MINI's corporate cultures into the
fast-paced and ever-changing world of new media. The search took advice from
external digital and online experts, online media, and BMW and MINI managers
within the BMW UK business. Forrester's five years as BMW Media Relations
Manager, combined with previous experience within the dealer network and of
setting up an internal communications network for BMW UK and its dealers, made
him an ideal candidate for the role.


He will report to Mark Harrison, BMW UK's Corporate Communications Manager who
said: "Based on research that showed our customers are now influenced as much
by online as traditional print media, we felt that it was vital to dedicate
resource to the online media environment. Conversations with various website
editors and bloggers also confirmed that there is an ever-growing demand for
online material and support from BMW and MINI. It is a great opportunity for
us to take this initiative and support the online community, media, our
customers and prospects."

The role will work closely with various divisions within BMW and MINI UK's
marketing departments as well as support the company's traditional PR
operation. It will also interact with other BMW and MINI markets due to the
global nature of online communications.

Further changes within the BMW UK corporate communications team see Natalie
Wakefield return from maternity leave as Group Communications Executive,
reporting to Group Communications Manager, Angela Stangroom.

The Group Communications roles promote BMW Group's global corporate activities
and the business and influence of the BMW Group in the UK through its 150
dealerships, manufacturing plants in Hams Hall, Oxford and Swindon, BMW Group
Academy UK training facility near Reading, and the BMW (UK) Ltd headquarters in
Bracknell.

Martin Harrison, who is currently seconded to the Group Communications
Executive role, will return 'home' to become Press Fleet Co-ordinator on 21
April. Accordingly, Sarah Lovegrove will return to BMW Financial Services.
Martin Harrison will again report into Mark Harrison who said: "We are sorry
to lose Sarah after she has supported us so well. She enjoyed her time with us,
and with the UK motoring media, and did some fine work behind-the-scenes that
will enable Martin to step back into a new, improved press fleet set-up. We
wish her all the best in her future career."

Ends