ISUZU Australia Limited’s veteran marketing and advertising manager Jeff Birdseye has retired from the leading truck brand after more than two decades of service – and 43 years in the industry.

Mr Birdseye joined General Motors Holden in 1976 and over 20 years held a variety of sales, marketing and dealer development roles.

In 1989, Isuzu General Motors Limited (I-GM) was formed – the company that later became Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL), in 2005 – and Mr Birdseye signed on as national light commercial vehicles manager in 1996, beginning what would become a 23-year stint with the truck brand that has held market leadership for the past three decades.

It took only two years for him to be promoted to marketing manager in 1998, a position he owned until 2015, when he switched to advertising manager.

Paying tribute to Mr Birdseye, who was at the heart of Isuzu’s marketing and advertising campaigns for such a long period, IAL director and chief operating officer Andrew Harbison said: “Jeff’s work history with our organisation is remarkable, both in its tenure and his impact on our business.

“Jeff has been responsible for some of the most memorable marketing campaigns in the brand’s history, and his passion for the Isuzu brand is indisputable.

“We speak a lot about the milestone of 30 years of Australian truck market leadership, and the marketing nous and communications savviness of Jeff has played an integral role in that achievement.

“Jeff has guided us through some challenging times and has always held firm to our core principles.

“His presence, wit and wry smile will be sorely missed, and we thank him and his family for their dedication, hard work and infectious passion for Isuzu trucks.

“We wish him all the very best as he enters this next rewarding chapter of his life.”

Mr Birdseye said: “It’s particularly pleasing to know that as I move into the next phase in my life, Isuzu is well placed to succeed into the future with a very capable leadership team in place.

“Isuzu has been a great employer with a real culture driving people to succeed, and I’ve met a lot of great people along the way who have helped shape my experience.

“It’s sad to be leaving, but it’s time to stop and smell the roses after 43 years of continuous employment.”

By Terry Martin