New role: As well as heading up VW Group’s PR for almost eight years, Karl Gehling has previous experience as manager of media relations with Nissan/Renault Australia.

FORMER Volkswagen Group Australia general manager of communications Karl Gehling is now working as interim head of corporate communications for Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) as Shayna Welsh prepares to take parental leave.

Based at MMAL head office in Adelaide, Mr Gehling takes on the new role after leaving the Sydney-based Volkswagen Group in February after almost eight years in the job. He was subsequently replaced by Paul Pottinger.

Ms Welsh begins leave on Thursday, December 8.

MMAL’s corporate communications department has also been bolstered by the appointment of Jessica Eastick as product communications co-ordinator.

Jessica Eastick

Ms Eastick is based at the MMAL’s Victorian regional office in Mulgrave, south-east of Melbourne, working alongside product communications manager John Taylor.

She has previous experience working for approximately two years in Holden’s corporate affairs department as media and program operations assistant, but left the lion brand earlier this year to take on a role in the ‘data and digital’ team with Bupa Australia and New Zealand.

By Terry Martin