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• Innocence please Christine Smith, will lead the marketing department as the new director
• Kristina Covello-Garcia moves from Senior Manager of Network Development at Genesis Canada to National Manager of Marketing Communications for Hyundai Canada
• Hyundai Canada creates a new department, Digital Business Development, and increases its focus on the online customer journey

MARKHAM, ON, July 19, 2021 / CNW / – Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. today announced changes to its marketing department. Effective July 12th, Kristina Covello-Garcia is a national marketing communications manager and Christine Smith is Marketing Manager and replaces Lawrence Hamilton who was promoted to Executive Director of Genesis Canada in May.

Smith comes from the Canadian marketing agency Innocean, where she headed the Hyundai account for the past four years, most recently as Senior Vice President, Client Business. Smith brings nearly 30 years of marketing experience drawn from progressive agency roles in the automotive and consumer goods sectors. Smith followed suit in 2009 new York where she ran the Gillette account at BBDO / Proximity and started and ran the Campbell Soup account before returning Canada in 2017 and was hired as Vice President at Innocean to oversee the Hyundai and Genesis accounts. In her new role, Smith reports to Don Romano, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada.

“As someone who appreciates the fast-paced agency environment but was always curious about the work on the client side, my new role at Hyundai Canada was the perfect opportunity to flourish in both scenarios,” says Smith. “It’s easy to invest deeply in Hyundai, the brand and company are always on the move, making rapid strides in terms of product diversification and technology, and the focus on the customer journey is stronger than ever. After three years of support and agency side, I am excited to join the Hyundai Canada client side and very proud to lead the talented and dedicated marketing team with whom I have had the pleasure of participating in a number of award-winning campaigns work.”

Also new to the Hyundai Canada marketing team is Kristina Covello-Garciawho has been the National Manager for Marketing Communications since July 12May, report to Christine Smith. Covello-Garcia has worked in the automotive industry for over 16 years, starting with manufacturing experience as a fitter at Ford Motor Company of Canada for field management at General Motors of Canada. Covello-Garcia joined Hyundai Auto Canada in 2010 and has worked in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility in sales, service and parts, Genesis operations and network development.

“Brands growing as fast as Hyundai require a fully invested team with a strong focus on the customer experience. Having worked in almost every area of ​​the company, I have a deep understanding of the brand and the importance of successfully communicating our vision to consumers. I look forward to bringing my industry expertise to marketing and becoming part of a very successful, innovative team that shares my passion, “says Covello-Garcia.

“The changes announced today represent the commitment and talent of Christine and Kristina as well as the natural ups and downs of a company that promotes the growth of its employees and creates a ripple effect from organizational possibilities and transformations,” says Don Romano, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada. “Both Christine and Kristina have impressive career paths and set new standards for success in their respective previous areas of work. The Hyundai brand is at the zenith of overall brand development through our leadership role in mainstream electric vehicles, new performance models on the horizon, generating a vehicle into an entirely new segment and improving the online customer journey. During this period of rapid growth, we will benefit enormously from Christine and Kristina’s fresh perspectives and their proven expertise in successfully delivering an appealing, first-class customer experience. “

In addition, Hyundai announced the creation of a new digital business development department, led by Adam Mintzwho takes on the new role of Senior Manager for Digital Business Development Reporting Steve Flamand, Director, Product and Corporate Strategy. Mintz has been with Hyundai Canada for over five years and has nearly two decades of digital marketing experience. As the successor to Mintz as a manager, digital platforms are Siobhan McLaren-Hallwho has since worked in Hyundai’s digital marketing business January 2018.

About Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Hyundai Auto Canada, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are being distributed everywhere Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced by more than 222 dealerships nationwide. Hyundai is also the first to offer Canadian customers a second-generation zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicle called the NEXO. For more information about Hyundai and its vehicles, please visit www.HyundaiCanada.com.

For more information about Hyundai and its products, please visit www.hyundainews.ca or contact:

Jenn McCarthy, National Manager, Public Relations, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Phone (416) 770-0842, email: [email protected]

Mohga Hassib, Public Relations Coordinator, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Office: (905) 948-6882, email: [email protected]

SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.