AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) _ A top marketing executive at Lexus is joining Chrysler LLC to lead its global marketing efforts, Chrysler said Wednesday.

Deborah Wahl Meyer, 44, will become Chrysler's vice-president and chief marketing officer on Aug. 28. Meyer has spent the last six years at Toyota Motor Corp., most recently as vice-president of marketing for Lexus. She also has worked in marketing for Ford Motor Co. and Mazda.

``Deborah is a great addition to the leadership team,'' Chrysler chairman and chief executive Bob Nardelli said in a news release. ``She brings a proven track record of success to support our brands both in North America and internationally.''

Meyer replaces George Murphy, another former Ford executive who resigned in May after six years as Chrysler's senior vice-president of global brand marketing. Chrysler spokeswoman Shawn Morgan said the search for Murphy's successor began well before Cerberus Capital Management LLC finalized its purchase of a majority stake in Chrysler on Aug. 3.

Meyer will be responsible for marketing the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands around the world. Chrysler president Tom LaSorda said this month that the company has set a goal of doubling its sales outside North America to 400,000 by 2012. Meyer also will oversee all sales promotions and brand events.