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MARKETING APPOINTMENTS

Auto giant Ford appoints a new global Chief Marketing Officer

By our News Team | 2023

Toyota marketing veteran takes over the reins as the automobile industry gets to grips with a range of new challenges.  

As the motor industry changes to meet increasing consumer demand for sustainability and, in particular, electric vehicles, Ford has announced the appointment of its new global CMO.

 

Lisa Materazzo takes over as the marketing head of Ford’s marketing-related business operations around the world after a 20-year tenure at Toyota.

Marketing Appointments

Photo by Julissa Helmuth from Pexels

At the Japanese-owned company she was the top marketing executive in North America. She also held leadership roles at Lexus, Toyota’s luxury car brand, and at Scion, the now-discontinued Toyota brand that was meant to appeal to younger customers.

 

Materazzo will report to Ford President and CEO, Jim Farley, and will lead advanced product planning and all marketing activities. She also assumes responsibility for building Ford Performance as a new business and lifestyle brand, and for Lincoln, the luxury vehicle division which has been making good headway in China but suffering headwinds in the North American market.

 

‘Sea change’ happening in the auto industry

 

According to Materazzo, electric vehicles and a revolution in software are causing a “sea change” in the automotive industry.

 

“Great marketing can supercharge the ‘Ford+ plan’ because we have the opportunity to win the hearts and minds of customers with seamlessly connected product, service and ownership experiences that create brand advocates for life,” she notes in a press release.

 

The Ford+ plan for growth and value creation “combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty,” the company explains.


Like other legacy automakers, Ford is working to shift to electric vehicles (EVs) to meet consumer demand. However, reports the marketing industry news portal Marketing Dive, Ford is losing money on each EV it sells and recently pushed back its plan for a 600,000-unit EV production run to 2024 instead of late 2023, as originally intended.

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Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.