GM Holden confirms departure of executive director of marketing, Mark Harland, and announces a leadership restructure
GM Holden has confirmed its New Zealand managing director will take up the A/NZ marketing reins following the departure of Mark Harland from the automotive business.
Harland left GM Holden this week after spending a little over a year ago as its executive director of marketing. He had originally joined General Motors in 1997 and worked across Europe, the US, China and Singapore, leading as marketing and customer experience director of the GMI Vehicle Sales Service and Marketing leadership team.
Harland is being replaced by current GM Holden and Isuzu Trucks New Zealand chief, Kristian Aquilina, who will now assume responsibility across all three roles.
The news comes amid reports that the brand experienced one of its worst local sales months in 20 years in February, according to an article posted on Wheels magazine. The statement is based on preliminary sale data for new car sales, published by VFACTS.
Harland joined the automotive company in 2016. During his tenure, he’s credited with striking relationships with Surf Life Saving Australia and Mardi Gras and oversaw Holden’s naming rights sponsorship of the NRL Holden State of Origin and inaugural NRL Holden Women’s Premiership league.
“Mark brought a fresh perspective to Holden during a different period of transition,” said Holden chairman and MD, Mark Benhard, in a statement. “We thank him for his passion and wish him well on his future endeavours.”
Aquilina has been with the General Motors group for more than 20 years, working across sales, marketing, product management and government relationships. He was appointed NZ chief in 2015.
“Under Kristian’s leadership the Holden brand and sales have continued to strengthen in New Zealand,” Bernhard said. “Kristian’s understanding of product, marketing, customers and the Australian motoring landscape is second to none. We are looking forward to Kristian advancing the Holden business in Australia.”
Bernhard also stressed the group’s belief that sales were going to improve.
“We’re passionate about our future and confident that our sales will improve. Marketing is a key part to ensuring this,” he said.
Aquilina also recognised the significant time of transformation for the GM Holden business. “We’re establishing a new nameplate in Equinox and relaunching an Australian icon in the all-new Commodore,” he commented.
“Plus with our extensive SUV offering and Colorado, we’ve got exceptional products in all the right segments. I’m passionate about Holden and our products – they are the best we’ve ever had. My job is to bring people on the journey with us.”
Follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn: CMO ANZ, join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia, or check us out on Google+:google.com/+CmoAu
If the FANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Google) sector and their measured worth are the final argument for the successful 21st Century model, then they are beyond reproach. Fine-tuning masses of algorithms to reduce human touchpoints and deliver wild returns to investors—all with workforces infinitesimally small compared to the giants of the 20th Century—has been proven out.
Marketers have made strides this year in sustainability with the number of brands rallying behind the Not Business As Usual alliance for action against climate change being a sign of the times. While sustainability efforts have gained momentum this year, 2020 is shaping up to be the year brands are really held accountable for their work in this area.
As a Marketer, the ‘Scotty from Marketing’ meme troubles me.
In this bonus last episode of this new podcast series, BrandHook MD, Pip Stocks, talks with former ANZ group general manager of marketing, Louise Eyres, talks about the importance of thinking like a customer and using intuition to solve customer painpoints.
It's a pretty interesting article to read. I will learn more about this company later.
Dan Bullock
40 staff and 1000 contracts affected as foodora closes its Australian operations
If you think it can benefit both consumer and seller then it would be great
Simon Bird
Why Ford is counting on the Internet of Things to drive customer engagement
It's a good idea. Customers really should control their data. Now I understand why it's important.
Elvin Huntsberry
Salesforce CMO: Modern marketers have an obligation to give customers control of their data
Instagram changes algorithms every time you get used to them. It really pisses me off. What else pisses me off? The fact that Instagram d...
Nickwood
Instagram loses the like in Australia; industry reacts positively
I tried www.analisa.io to see my Instagram Insight
Dina Rahmawati
7 marketing technology predictions for 2016