Just three days after former CMO Dean Evans resigned from the position, Hyundai Motor America has named an executive from its advertising agency as its chief marketer.
Angela Zepeda, formerly the senior vice president and managing director at Innocean USA, is now responsible for all of Hyundai’s U.S. marketing and advertising activities, including the strategic direction, brand development, national and regional advertising, experiential marketing, digital and social media, brand partnerships, and lead generation, among other responsibilities.
Zepeda will start in the role today and will report to Hyundai Motor America COO Brian Smith.
“Angela is a dynamic and accomplished marketer with an impressive depth of experience across the entire marketing spectrum and will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Brian Smith, COO, Hyundai Motor America, in a release. “Angela was already a member of our extended family and we’ve seen firsthand her creativity, business acumen and talent in building our brand and leading teams. She is well-respected by the entire organization and our dealers, and will be able to seamlessly transition to leading the marketing function here at Hyundai.”
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At Innocean, Zepeda handled all operations for the Hyundai business including creative, planning and media operations. She was initially hired by the agency to head up business development.
According to Hyundai, Zepeda is an expert in marketing to women and has a “keen understanding of the emotional triggers involved in women’s retail habits.” Women make up 65% of new vehicle sales and inform 80% of vehicle decisions, according to studies.
Prior to Innocean, Zepeda was CEO of Quigley-Simpson in Los Angeles, where she oversaw all aspects of the agency, from brand leadership to new business development to operational efficiencies. Before that, Zepeda was CMO of Campbell Ewald-Los Angeles and has also worked at TBWA\Chiat\Day, Team One, Rapp, Doner and FCB.