PINELLAS PARK, FL (FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017) –– Davidoff of Geneva USA, the US based subsidiary of Oettinger Davidoff AG, today announced that Dylan Austin, 36, has been named Vice President of Sales and Marketing – USA, effective January 1, 2018. Dylan Austin steps into this dual role from his current position as Vice President of Marketing, and will lead strategic and day-to-day oversight of the company's sales organization and key account team. Mr. Austin, who joined the industry in 2005, became part of the Davidoff USA family after the acquisition of Camacho Cigars in 2008. Since then, he has made a deep impact and helped shape the success of Davidoff of Geneva USA brands in the US, as well as of the company overall. In addition to his new role, Mr. Austin will retain marketing responsibility for his current portfolio of brands, including AVO, CAMACHO, BACCARAT ‘THE GAME', CUSANO, THE GRIFFIN'S AND ZINO PLATINUM. He replaces Jeffrey Lee, current Vice President of Sales.
Mr. Lee, who has held this position with Davidoff of Geneva USA for over 22 years, is retiring from the company. Davidoff of Geneva USA thanks Mr. Lee for his leadership and enormous contribution to the success of the US business, and wishes him well in his retirement. This significant development will properly position the company for the new realities of the US premium cigar business, where deeper insights, demand creation, and an impactful marketing / commercial mix have become increasingly important.
“As competition continues to become more aggressive in our newly-regulated industry, the lines between sales and marketing continue to blur. The time has come for our company to align marketing and commercial efforts into one single approach. Dylan Austin is a performance-driven professional with deep industry knowledge and relationships – he has orchestrated some of our most impactful sales and marketing initiatives over the past halfdecade. Through his appointment as Vice President of Sales and Marketing – USA, we will confidently strengthen the position of our brands and our company within the marketplace, enhance our relationships with retail stakeholders, and further drive our critical Indispensable Business Partner platform forward,” said Jim Young, President of Davidoff North America.
“It is with great pride and energy that I accept my appointment as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Our company has not only great brands, but also one of the best commercial teams in the business. It is my honor to lead them into the future, forging deeper relationships with our network of retail / channel partners, and further drive the success of our great cigar portfolio,” said Dylan Austin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Davidoff of Geneva USA.
Dylan Austin will remain in Davidoff's Pinellas Park office, reporting to Jim Young, president of Davidoff North America. Richard Krutick, VP Marketing – Davidoff of Geneva USA, will continue to lead the marketing for Davidoff, S.T. Dupont, and Davidoff of Geneva since 1911 for the USA – reporting to Jim Young, president of Davidoff North America.