Cox Automotive has announced an expanded leadership role for Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ken Kraft, who will oversee the company’s sales organization. Kraft will continue to report to Cox Automotive President Steve Rowley and remain part of the executive leadership team.
Since joining Cox Automotive in 2021, Kraft has worked closely with the sales and product teams to develop effective marketing strategies, leading to significant growth and improved customer satisfaction. He has also played a crucial role in reimagining the company’s brand architecture, expanding its industry presence, and fostering key customer relationships.
Steve Rowley expressed confidence in Ken Kraft’s top-notch marketing and sales team leadership, citing Ken’s 35-year career focused on prioritizing customers and leveraging the partnership between marketing and sales for business success.
In his new role, Kraft will closely collaborate with Tim McKinley, the current chief sales officer, who is set to retire at the end of the year. McKinley concludes a distinguished 40-year career, including six years at Cox Communications and 11 years at Cox Automotive, where he helped achieve record revenue growth.
Kraft says, “I am grateful to lead a dedicated team and look forward to enhancing our sales and marketing efforts to better serve our customers and drive innovative solutions to market quickly for Cox Automotive.”
Before joining Cox Automotive, Kraft led marketing and sales operations at Cox Business, the commercial services division of Cox Communications. He built the marketing and sales operations team and positioned them as strategic business partners, contributing to Cox Business’ significant growth. Kraft has also held leadership roles in telecommunications at AT&T, BellSouth, and Sprint.
Kraft, a longtime Atlanta resident, dedicates himself to community service and environmental stewardship. He currently serves on the board of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and previously served on the boards of the Trust for Public Land, Woodruff Arts Center, Fernbank Museum, Adaptive Spirit, and the Sandy Springs Education Force. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina and serves on the Dean’s Leadership Council for the College of Information and Communications.
