• by Tanya Gazdik , August 26, 2024

Hyundai Motor America has promoted Sean Gilpin to chief marketing officer after the exit of Angela Zepeda, chief creative officer.

Effective today, Gilpin now leads the entire marketing function for Hyundai’s U.S. business, overseeing both creative and performance. 

Zepeda elected to depart the company for a new position outside of the automotive industry, according to Hyundai. She tendered her resignation on Friday, a source tells Marketing Daily. 

Zepeda originally joined Hyundai as chief marketing officer in 2019 after leading the automaker’s advertising account at Innocean USA.

She lost some of her duties to Gilpin during a realigning of positions announced in July. Zepeda could not be reached for comment. Her LinkedIn profile still shows her position at Hyundai as current. 

Gilpin’s responsibilities now include marketing strategy, creative execution, social, experiential marketing, multicultural marketing, along with media buying strategy, customer communications, tier-two marketing and marketing financial management. 

In this role, Gilpin reports to Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America. Gilpin will also retain his global responsibilities as vice president of global sales marketing for Hyundai Motor Company.

“Sean is a talented marketing leader who has brought new thinking and strategies to our marketing and advertising,” Parker says in a release. “There remains a tremendous opportunity to enhance consumer understanding of Hyundai’s innovation, mobility leadership and vision for the future of transportation. I’m confident he’s the right person to elevate the Hyundai brand and continue the momentum we’ve generated over the past several years.”

According to the automaker, Gilpin has a demonstrated track record of exceptional leadership and strategic vision, helping to drive Hyundai’s marketing initiatives, brand building and consumer shopping activity. 

Gilpin rejoined Hyundai in July 2023 from Innocean USA, Hyundai’s creative marketing partner agency, where he served as the chief business officer. Before Innocean USA, Gilpin was the senior manager of retail marketing at Hyundai Motor America and reported to Zepeda, who was CMO.

“I want to express my gratitude to Angela for her outstanding efforts that have significantly contributed to Hyundai’s business growth,” Parker said in the release. “Angela’s leadership has raised Hyundai’s standing in the marketplace, and her unwavering commitment to creativity and innovation continually inspired her team and our partners to deliver impactful results.”