New start: The former associate publisher of GoAutoMedia, Daniel Cotterill starts at Holden on Monday August 13.

GM HOLDEN has announced that former Ateco Automotive public relations consultant and GoAuto associate publisher Daniel Cotterill has filled the gap in its PR team, taking up the role of senior manager product communications.

Mr Cotterill joins Holden after senior manager of product and brand communications Mark Flintoft left in mid-July to take up a role as the head of communications for Melbourne City Football Club.

Starting his role on August 13, Mr Cotterill will join the team that already includes director of communications Anna Betts, senior manager of brand and communications Megan Lloyd and external communications coordinator Jessiie Rees-Dielenberg.

From 2009 to 2016, Mr Cotterill was the key PR contact for Ateco Automotive’s Asian brands that initially included Great Wall and Chery, before expanding to LDV, Foton and SsangYong.

Before he finished up with Ateco to join GoAutoMedia, he also oversaw the launch of American Special Vehicles – a Ram Trucks conversion operation based in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Prior to Ateco, he was the director of defence and security for communications consultancy Hill & Knowlton, and he also held the role of chief of staff to minister of defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, in the Rudd government.

As well as other policy advisor roles in Canberra, Mr Cotterill was the editor for Australian Defence Magazine.

Ms Betts welcomed Mr Cotterill to the team and said he would be an asset to the company.

“Holden has the best product line-up we’ve ever had, it’s an exciting time for Daniel to be joining the Holden team,” she said.

“Daniel’s product knowledge is outstanding, matched by his passion for the Holden brand, which will be an asset as we continue to build our reputation as an SUV and LCV company, with the soon-to-be launched, all-new Holden Acadia just around the corner.”

Mr Cotterill said he was excited to be working at Holden and highlighted his connection to the brand.

“I am thrilled to be joining Holden at time when the company is looking to strengthen its market position, and is demonstrating the determination necessary to make that happen,” Cotterill said.

“As a long-term Holden enthusiast, and someone who races an old Holden touring car in his spare time, I’m looking forward to getting stuck into my new role.”

A qualified motor mechanic, Mr Cotterill drives Holden Torana XU1 and Commodore touring cars in historic racing events.

He joins Holden at a critical time in its history with its sales at their lowest point ever following the closure of its Australian manufacturing operation in October 2017.

Holden has made a number of changes to its senior management in the past six months, including hiring former Toyota president Dave Buttner to replace Mark Bernhard as chairman and managing director.

Kristian Aquilina recently came across from Holden New Zealand to take the role of executive director of the company’s Australian marketing department, with another NZ-based exec, Marnie Samphier, also coming across as general manager of marketing strategy. Peter Keley also returned to his old role of sales director in April.

By Tim Nicholson