Wednesday, 04/05

- MCS
- Tanya Gazdik, Senior Editor, Automotive, MediaPost @TanyaGazdik
- Sarah Mahoney, Editor, Marketing D2C, MediaPost
Nissan’s approach to DEI efforts goes way beyond lip service. The automaker has expanded its relationship with Historically Black Colleges and Universities into its long-standing Heinemann House effort as well as other initiatives.
- InterviewerS
- Yetunde Faparusi, Director, Brand, Marketing & Performance Strategy, Nissan North America
- Tanya Gazdik, Senior Editor, Automotive, MediaPost @TanyaGazdik

Fabian believe that innovation is synonymous with evolution. “We owe it to our customers to continuously improve upon the experiences throughout their entire customer journey,” she says. “Same goes for the way we communicate this to our customers. With the sheer volume of messages hitting any given person in one day, brands not only need to ensure they are relevant and relatable but importantly that they are adding value to the lives of their customers.”
- Interviewee
- Kate Fabian, Director, Marketing Communications, Hyundai Motor America
- Interviewer
- Sarah Mahoney, Editor, Marketing D2C, MediaPost
Some brands seem to be masters at going their own way in connecting with consumers. These brands talk about what has worked for them.
- Moderator
- Ian Beavis, Chief Strategy Officer, AMCI Global
A group of automotive influencers and journalists and several OEMs came together in December and drove 3,200 miles to save four beagles and to bring an outfitted rig to one lucky rescue as part of Operation Frodo. The story begins in 2018 when Miles partnered with Nissan to show how a pickup truck could be modified to serve as a rescue vehicle to save and transport animals after natural disasters. The truck was displayed at the SEMA show that year. That led to the founding of AnimalRescueRigs.com to encourage animal rescue. For Operation Frodo, Jeep stepped up to lend a new Grand Wagoneer SUV to the project so the dogs can be transported safely to the Pacific Northwest.
- PresenterS
- Harvey Briggs, Editor and Publisher, Rides and Drives
- Nik Miles, Auto Expert, Commentator, Producer, Anchor Reporter, Our Auto Expert @nikjmiles
As the lead agency of record for Toyota, the creative powerhouse has been a partner of TMS since 1975. The agency has both adapted to and pushed their client over the years. Saatchi tackled the existential problems of 2022 with aplomb, sound strategy and creative excellence in everything they touched.
It’s not business as usual at the Japanese-owned automotive giant. The company is taking customers into the electrified age with a realistic attitude and education-forward strategy. The brand takes a “portfolio approach,” offering a range of options including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and fuel-cell technology. Rather than spend time and money trying to sell one powertrain against another, Materazzo believes the automaker’s job is really more about how to educate consumers on how to choose which option is best for their wants and needs.
- Interviewee
- Lisa Materazzi, Group Vice President of Toyota Division Marketing, Toyota Motor North America
- Interviewer
- Tanya Gazdik, Senior Editor, Automotive, MediaPost @TanyaGazdik
Complimentary access with wrist-band (distributed to ALL at conclusion of Cocktail Party)