Sign in
Olivier François
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons16

Olivier François

French businessman (born 1961)

Olivier François (4 October 1961) is a French business executive and the CEO of Fiat and Abarth since 2011. He is global chief marketing officer for Stellantis, and a member of the company's Group Executive Council, a position he has held since September 2011.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Olivier François (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Oct 4, 1961.1

About

Due to his attention to creativity, he has been referred to as "Chrysler's Don Draper". In 2024, François was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame.

From Wikipedia’s article on Olivier François, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

  • AbarthChief executive officer 2022 to now14
  • FiatChief executive officer 2011 to now15

Early life and education

  • 1984Paris Dauphine University management3
  • 1986CELSA Paris3
  • 1988Paris Institute of Political Studies economics3

François was born in Paris, and graduated in 1984 from Dauphine University with degrees in management and marketing from CELSA – Sorbonne University (1986) and in Economy and finance from Sciences Po (1988). Prior to starting his career within the automotive industry, he started his own music label in France, later working in the export business. His passion for music, together with poetry and photography, continues to accompany François in his later career, as witnessed by commercials and special projects in which are involved among others, Sting, Shaggy, and Jennifer Lopez.

From Wikipedia’s article on Olivier François (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: manager.10

  • Since 2023Director general, DS Automobiles7
  • Since 2022Chief executive, Abarth6
  • Since 2021Chief marketing officer7 9
  • Since 2011Chief executive, Fiat5
  • Since 2011Director general, Fiat7 8
  • Date not recordedWorked at Lancia4
  • Date not recordedWorked at Citroën4
  • Date not recordedWorked at Chrysler4
  • Date not recordedDirector general, Abarth7

Citroën

François entered the car business in 1990 when he was hired by Citroën, quickly climbing the ranks within the organization. In 1999, he was asked by the company to move to Denmark, where he was managing director of Citroën Denmark A/S. In 2001, he was appointed managing director of Citroën Italy.

Lancia

After four years as the head of Citroën in Italy, willing for a new challenge, François was approached by Sergio Marchionne, then CEO of Fiat Group Automobiles, to later become CEO of Lancia Automobiles SpA.

Chrysler

In October 2009, after the Fiat Group receiving a 20% stake in Chrysler Group LLC, François was appointed president and chief executive officer of the Chrysler brand. He was also the Lead Marketing Executive at the Chrysler Group, with responsibility for marketing strategies, brand development and advertising for the Chrysler Group (Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM Trucks), as well as that of the Fiat Group Automobiles brands (Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Abarth, and Lancia).

Read more

FCA

In 2011, François was named chief marketing officer of the FCA Group and head of the Fiat Brand, as well as becoming a member of the Group Executive Council (GEC). Since becoming chief marketing officer, François splits his time between Auburn Hills and FCA's Italian headquarters in Turin. As well as chief marketing officer for the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group, he is also president of the Fiat Brand Global.

Car models unveiled

Under his guidance, FCA have achieved some important results: the iconic 500 enlarged its line up with 500L (in 2012) and 500X (in 2014), consolidating 500 as everlasting and iconic car. During the 2014 Geneve Motor Show an offroad version of Panda, named Cross, was launched: this contributed to keep the model as one of the Italian most sold cars. In 2015, the new Tipo, a compact car assembled at the Tofaş plant in Bursa, Turkey, was launched. It won the Best Buy Car of Europe Award from Autobest, voted by a panel of 26 journalists from 26 European countries.

In 2016, the 124 Spider made its first appearance; it was previously seen at 2015 LA Auto Show. The two passenger roadster recalls for name and exterior styling the Fiat 124 Sport Spider designed by Pininfarina and manufactured from 1966 to 1985. In 2019, the electric Fiat concept Centoventi, translated as hundred and twenty in recognition of the company's 120th anniversary, was unveiled at the Geneve Motor Show. It "reimagines the Fiat Panda supermini as an electric car for the 21st century". The launch of the Panda Trussardi in 2019 was accompanied by a communication campaign that celebrates its style, changing the rules of automotive communications and positioning the new car as a fashion item. Panda Trussardi features in the video clip of Ava Max's new single "Torn", and the spot is simply a cut from the video clip. The new commercial was directed by Joseph Kahn who directed video clips for artists such as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Sting, and Shaggy.

Vatican Concert

François led the efforts organizing the Vatican City's first-ever live concert held in St. Peter’s Square on September 13, 2025, hosting an audience of over 250,000 to celebrate the Vatican’s 2025 Jubilee Year. Artists including Pharrell Williams, Andrea Bocelli, and Karol G performed, with Kimbal Musk orchestrating a 3,000-drone light show over the Vatican during the event.

From Wikipedia’s article on Olivier François (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornOct 4, 1961, Paris11
  • CitizenshipFrance12

François married Italian pop singer Arianna Bergamaschi in 2014. He has four sons.

From Wikipedia’s article on Olivier François (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16