OUR TEAM

Bert E. Holland, BSME, Senior Partner

Bert has over 25 year experience in marketing strategy, automotive engineering, corporate strategy, marketing innovation, product planning, event marketing, supplier relations and governmental policy.

Based on his broad expertise, Bert offers clients in-depth assistance with strategic development, marketing, product planning and governmental policy. Working closely with internal and external experts, Bert interacts directly with individuals and teams to design and deliver the most effective and appropriate programs.

Bert has worked for the European automotive industry, in Europe and in the US, for both Porsche and BMW.  At Porsche in Stuttgart, he developed ABS and traction control, managed the 911 and 959 product and initiated the original new Boxster concept.  While at BMW in Munich, he started an inter-divisional competition which resulted in the Z3 roadster. Then at BMW US, he led the James Bond "Goldeneye" Z3 launch. He initiated the X5 project, led the X5 eBay launch, laid the groundwork for the US MINI introduction and created the X3 concept. He was then called to serve in Europe as X3 product manager and initiated the 335i. 

Returning to BMW US, he led the Hydrogen 7, EfficientDynamics and Diesel promotions and planning.  He initiated and led the TED/BMW partnership with TEDtalks and the Le Web 3.0 partnership (Paris), in addition to his responsibilities for advanced product strategy and environmental planning.

Holland specializes in helping organizations achieve their maximum effectiveness through creative group work and believes in empowering each organizational unit by developing their individual skills and passions.  He also serves as advisor to various other firms.

Bert Holland attended Reed College and received his mechanical engineering degree from the University of Utah.  He is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Automotive Analysts and speaks German, English, Italian and Portuguese. He is a regular participant of the conferences Le Web Paris, DLD, TED and BIL. Bert lives near New York with his wife and two children and enjoys sailing, swimming, hiking, biking, tennis, winter sports and music.

Robert (Bob) Austin, BA - Senior Partner

Bob Austin has over 30 years experience in public relations and marketing, including public policy, communications, customer relations, marketing innovation, dealer relations and event marketing. As a known and respected member of the automotive marketing community, Bob provides a high level of expertise and in-depth assistance to clients.

In close cooperation with clients, Austin can develop every aspect of communications, from the strategic branding framework right through to pre-launch communications, press events, advertising, dealer and customer communications. With a well-established network of contacts and influence, Bob ensures not only that the messaging is well thought through, but also that it is supported effectively through the relevent media channels.

Austin served as head of marketing and public relations in the US for both Volvo and Rolls-Royce. In his last role, he directed the reintroduction of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to North America, moving the brand from obscurity to segment leadership in just five years, out-selling the key competitor Maybach three to one.

As head of Volvo PR, he led an aggressive product placement program for film and TV; today Volvo remains the Hollywood directors' choice as short hand for people of high moral fiber.  He created the Volvo Saved My Life Club. Later, as head of Marketing Communications, Austin reprised this idea with the award winning Volvo "Survivors” commercials, transforming the safety subject into a compelling emotional mandate.

Austin created a masterful public relations defense when a Volvo safety commercial featuring monster trucks in 1990 proved to be inappropriately made. His response has become text-book: Volvo accepted responsibility, placed open letter ads, joined the governmental press conference, and provided 24/7 media access. This catapulted public awareness to a record high, and in fact enhanced Volvo’s reputation. Thereafter, Austin also served as head of Volvo’s advertising.

Bob Austin is a man who loves cars, loves the automobile business, and is an accomplished story teller.  Building, maintaining, and resurrecting great brands is his passion.  He likes to work hard and have a good time doing it.  When he is not working in the car business, he is at home working on his cars….

William (Bill) Pettit, MBA - Senior Partner

Bill has over 27 years of experience in automotive marketing research and analysis, strategic planning, loyalty and new customer acquisition programs, CRM and market information. Widely respected in his field, Bill has the expertise and connections to quickly and flexibly provide the analysis, planning and programs needed for true success.

Specifically tailored to client needs, Bill's unique “Voice of the Customer” perspective enables clients to approach market challenges and opportunities from a strong customer-centric position.  Based on his experience as a global premium brand executive, Bill believes in-depth market understanding is key to efficiency, effectiveness and success.

Bill developed the world class marketing research, market information and analytics which served as the foundation for BMW of North America's internationally renowned brand management and award-winning marketing communications. Bill pioneered a unique approach for monitoring customer desires through a variety of quantitative and qualitative research programs, providing the customer’s perspective for crucial marketing and product decisions.

Bill's social, demographic, psychographic and economic trend Intelligence formed the basis for the most successful marketing communications, e-business, event marketing and product planning programs, for example BMW FILMS, BMW Ultimate Drive, the Z3 launch and the X5 and X3 products.

As a unique and well-recognized innovation, Bill developed a predictive Marketing ROI process to quantify and establish competitive marketing efficiency dominance and optimize efficiencies within restrictive budgets and a constantly evolving market environment. Bill also developed analytics and metrics for sophisticated CRM programs in order to maximize customer loyalty and new customer acquisition initiatives.

Bill is a member of the New York chapter of the American Marketing Association and is a frequent speaker at AMA seminars and meetings. Bill enjoys spending time with his family (married 31 years with three children), hiking, skiing, biking, motorcycling, water sports and all things automotive.