Dodds announced last month that he would be leaving Honda after five years to take up his dream job as European marketing director with Callaway Golf. Dodds was behind the most recent Honda Asimo ad campaign and has only been in the job for a year before his departure.
The automotive manufacturer has made this internal appointment to maintain consistency within the Honda brand, an approach it believes has been highly successful over the past five years through advertising campaigns.
Gardner has worked with Honda for 16 years and his previous roles include product planning and marketing for the Power Equipment business. He is leaving his role as head of aftersales to take the helm of the car marketing department.
In his new role he will focus on the delivery of Honda's commercial objectives while Ian Armstrong, customer communications manager, continues to ensure consistency of brand communications.