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New chapter: Paul Ellis will apply some two decades’ experience with premium automotive brands (Porsche and Saab) to his new role as head of group public relations at Zagame Automotive.

FORMER Porsche Cars Australia director of public relations and motorsport Paul Ellis has joined Zagame Automotive Group as general manager of group public relations.

The prestige automotive retail specialist has also promoted Bella Katz to general manager of group marketing, bolstering the team under group chief executive Michael Winkler, the former chief of Bentley Motors Inc in the United States and a one-time head of Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover in Australia who has led Zagame’s automotive division since late last year.

As GoAuto has reported, Mr Ellis resigned from his post at Porsche in August last year after 12 years of service.

He subsequently set up his own boutique PR and marketing consultancy, which saw him work with Zagame to launch the Pagani hypercar marque in Australia.

Zagame Automotive is the official importer and exclusive local retailer of Pagani that arrived in March with the $5.5 million Huayra Roadster.

Bella Katz

It is also the sole Victorian retailer for a variety of other top-end brands including Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin, and holds various other franchises including Alfa Romeo, Audi, Morgan and Lotus.

Ms Katz joined Zagame Automotive in 2015 as marketing manager for Zagame’s five Audi Centres in Victoria (Melbourne, Brighton, Richmond, Mornington, West Melbourne) and the company’s Alfa Romeo and Fiat/Abarth outlets and pre-owned retail operations.

She previously ran her own brand and marketing consultancy, working with Zagame and other automotive companies including Audi and BMW.

Earlier in her career, Ms Katz spent almost three years in London, working as head of marketing for the British chapter of STEP Worldwide (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and as an account director for independent agency Wilson Harvey (now part of the Loewy Group).

In announcing the appointments, Mr Winkler said: “Bella and Paul’s extensive experience adds senior management strength to the Zagame Automotive operations as we continue with our strategic growth plans.”

Zagame Group managing director Bobby Zagame, who hired Mr Winkler to expand the company’s automotive operations, added: “Our business is built on passion. We have passionate people representing some of the most desirable brands in the world and that builds an excitement and energy which underlines everything we do.”

By Terry Martin

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