BK marketing chief Russ Klein resignsBK marketing chief Russ Klein resigns

Ron Ruggless

MIAMI Burger King Corp. said Tuesday that global marketing president Russ Klein, who has been on a personal leave since September, would resign from the company Dec. 15.

Peter Robinson, former president of Burger King’s Europe, Middle East and Africa business segment, will take over marketing duties on an interim basis while the company seeks Klein's replacement.

Klein has been with Burger King for more than six years, overseeing such widely discussed campaigns as the Whopper Virgins, Subservient Chicken and Facebook "unfriending."

Klein's departure comes as the nation's No. 2 burger chain looks to value promotions like a $1 double cheeseburger to reverse slumping sales at its restaurants. In its September-ended first quarter, Burger King reported a 2.9-percent decrease in global same-store sales, which included a 4.6-percent drop in the United States and Canada.

John W. Chidsey, Burger King’s chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement that Klein’s “executive and marketing leadership was a key factor in the company delivering six consecutive years of positive comparable sales through fiscal 2009, being named by Ad Week as one of the Top 3 industry-changing advertisers within the last three decades and being recognized by Interbrand on its 2009 Top 100 Best Global Brands list.”

Klein cited personal reasons for his decision to step down.

“It’s from my heart that I say Burger King Corp. is an exemplary company with limitless potential,” he said. “It is in the superb hands of the entire global executive team led by my friend and colleague, John Chidsey. I am thankful to have worked for such a dynamic organization and with such smart and talented people. I feel certain that the marketing group will continue to excel under the leadership of Peter Robinson, who brings both the right credentials and experience to the interim post.”

Besides serving as president of Burger King’s Europe, Middle East and Africa business, Robinson served on the global executive team for more than three years. Robinson's career spans more than 30 years in the consumer foods industry, working with such companies as the Frito-Lay International Division of PepsiCo, Kraft General Foods and Procter & Gamble.

Burger King operates about 12,000 restaurants in 74 nations.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].