Asbury names Levenson to top marketing post

Asbury Autogroup has announced the appointment of Allen Levenson as its chief marketing officer and vice president of customer experience, a new position that reports directly to Asbury CEO Brian Kendrick.

Mr. Levenson will be responsible for improving sales and profits through newly created customer-focused strategies, including the implementation of a major customer relationship management (CRM) initiative. He also will develop the Asbury Autogroup national brand and its regional market brands.

"We are pleased to add an executive of such caliber to our management team," says Mr. Kendrick. "Mr. Levenson’s solid marketing accomplishments and industry expertise, coupled with his experience in consolidating industries, will be instrumental in our ability to create sustainable competitive advantage and significantly build Asbury’s revenues. He will add tremendous value to our dealerships in their local branding and market leadership efforts.

Mr. Levenson began his career with consulting firms McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company, where his clients included Chrysler Corp. and Mercedes-Benz.

From there he became vice president of marketing for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) where he pioneered relationship marketing for its 10 million customers. He also has held key marketing positons with Petroleum Heat & Power and United Rentals, the industry leading consolidators in their respective markets. Most recently, Mr. Levenson founded Gazelle.com, a leading business-to-consumer e-commerce company.