• by Karl Greenberg , January 27, 2009

Ford Motor is changing its Global Marketing organization and putting Elena Ford in charge. She is currently the company's EVP/global brand and marketing head of Ford Motor Credit. In the new position, Ford will be head of global marketing, sales and service operations, reporting to Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, marketing and communications.

In a release, Farley said the new organization is part of the company's "One Ford" plan to create an integrated global brand, including common vehicle platforms for North America, Europe and Asia within the next five years. They include Fiesta- and Focus-sized small cars, Fusion- and Mondeo-sized mid-size cars and utilities, and commercial vans.

Elena Ford's responsibilities include heading up Ford global marketing, sales and service; enhancing Ford's brand image around the world; boosting the Ford brand at global auto shows and other consumer-facing events, and expanding the offering of Ford-branded licensed merchandise around the world.

The company says the Ford Focus global small car--which will be introduced in North America, Europe and Asia nearly simultaneously in 2010--will be the first vehicle to benefit from global coordination.

Elena Ford, great-great-granddaughter of founder Henry Ford, joined the company in 1995 as the truck-advertising specialist for Ford Division. She has held marketing leadership positions representing all regions and brands around the world.