Ford, a consistent buyer in radio’s top ad category, has tapped Suzy Deering as its new Chief Marketing Officer, effective Jan. 4. Deering most recently held the same position at eBay North America, exiting in October.
She succeeds Joy Falitico, who will focus on her role as President of the Lincoln brand. Falitico had been overseeing both brands for the past three years.
“We’re putting more decision-making in the hands of our people who are closest to customers,” Kumar Galhotra, President, Ford Americas and International Markets Group, said in a release. “That makes marketing more important than ever and Suzy’s world-class background will be vital to modernizing our approach, dialing-up our understanding of customer ambitions and redefining our brands to help us grow.”
According to the release, Deering is accomplished at using technology, data and analytics to anticipate customer needs and fulfill them with human-centered products and services. At Ford, she will be the global leader for modernizing marketing, driving brand strategy and best practices, and developing marketing talent. Additionally, she will run all marketing operations in North America, which accounts for more than 70 percent of Ford’s automotive revenue, including customer intelligence and product and consumer marketing.
“Technology will be a powerful part of Ford’s transformation and how we enhance and release the huge value of our iconic brands,” Deering added. “My team will be involved from end-to-end on behalf of customer—better connecting with them, using data to foresee and deliver what they need, and earning and keeping their trust.”
In other company news, Linda Cash has elected to retire from Ford effective Jan. 1, after 36 years with the company, the last three as Vice President, Quality and New Model Launch Program.
The moves come after the recent appointment of Jim Farley to CEO last month.
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