• by Tanya Gazdik , November 19, 2024

Nissan's Allyson Witherspoon

Allyson Witherspoon is adding U.S. chief marketing officer for the Nissan brand in North America back to her responsibilities. 

She replaces Marisstella Marinkovic, who recently left the company.

Witherspoon will continue to serve as corporate vice president, global marketing, brand and merchandising, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in Yokohama, Japan. She will retain her global responsibilities in addition to the U.S. role., which she previously held from April 2019 to March 2023. 

For her U.S. responsibilities, Witherspoon will report to Vinay Shahani, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. marketing and sales.

“We’re fortunate to have Allyson rejoining the U.S. leadership team, which puts us in a strong position to make rapid progress in our efforts to transform Nissan’s image in this critical market for the company,” Shahani says in a release. “We thank Marisstella for her contributions during her time with the company, and we wish her the best in her next chapter.”

Marinkovic joined Nissan in March 2023 after leaving Kia Motor America, where she was director, marketing operations and strategy, for 3 1/2 years. 

She confirmed she left the company Nov. 15, but declined to comment on her future plans. She spoke positively of her time at Nissan, including boosting sales with millennials and launching a data-driven retail program with successful conquest rates.