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New post: Neil McDonald spent five years at Ford before moving on to Honda, where his first major task will be launching the crucial new-generation Honda Civic (below).

New post: Neil McDonald spent five years at Ford before moving on to Honda, where his first major task will be launching the crucial new-generation Honda Civic (below).

FAMILIAR names representing various automotive brands and media in Australia are switching allegiance as several car companies reorganise their public relations departments.

Ford Australia is currently recruiting for a brand communications manager following the resignation of Neil McDonald, who is heading to Honda Australia as its new group public relations manager.

Honda confirmed his appointment this afternoon after Ford Australia earlier acknowledged that Mr McDonald – a former journalist for GoAuto and News Limited, among other outlets – had left the company and moves were underway to find a replacement, with the search to be conducted both inside the company and externally.

In a statement, Honda’s general manager of customer and communications Scott McGregor said: “We are excited to welcome Neil to the Honda family. His experience and professionalism will take our public relations capability to the next level.”

Melissa Cross

Melissa Cross

Meanwhile, Honda’s previous public relations manager, Melissa Cross, is believed to be moving to Renault Australia as interim corporate communications and sponsorship manager while Emily Fadeyev takes maternity leave.

GoAuto understands that a well-known motoring journalist is also set to join BMW Group Australia as product communications manager, filling the vacancy created when Simon Chiarelli left the company earlier this year.

BMW is also currently close to confirming another new member of its corporate communications department – a replacement for fleet co-ordinator Rachael Green, who has been promoted to integrated marketing co-ordinator at the company.

Over at Holden, the company has announced the appointment of two senior managers to its corporate affairs team – Liz Whiteway, who takes charge of external communications, and Anna Betts, who becomes responsible for internal communications and corporate social responsibility.

A former national manager for brand and communications at Caltex Australia, Ms Whiteway fills the vacancy created in January when Kate Lonsdale relocated to Singapore to take on a new regional role at GM International.

Ms Betts was previously head of internal communications and employee engagement at Melbourne Water, while earlier in her career she worked for the Australian Red Cross and the British Heart Foundation.

By Terry Martin

Honda Civic

Honda Civic

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