High profile: Previously in charge of PSA PR under Sime Darby, Tyson Bowen resumes the role under Inchcape, with new boss Anouk Poelmann saying his “enthusiasm, knowledge and reputation will assist us in rebuilding the marques’ profiles locally”.

A WIDE range of automotive public relations moves have taken place in recent weeks as the industry sets sail for another record year.

Tyson Bowen has returned to Peugeot and Citroen to oversee all PR and communications activities, replacing Jemma White and coming back to familiar territory after serving in the same role under previous importer Sime Darby.

Mr Bowen has spent the past year as general manager at automotive consultancy MSR, having left Sime Darby prior to Inchcape Australasia taking over distribution of the French PSA Group brands in June last year.

Inchcape subsequently hired Ms White as corporate communications and events manager.

Nissan Australia has also announced that it is restructuring its corporate communications department and is currently recruiting for a new role within the team following the departure of Colette Dunn after almost 10 years of service with the company.

Nissan has also hired former Mazda Australia public relations co-ordinator Kathleen McMahon on a contract basis.

After three years with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia, Rachel Reed has joined Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific as manager of lifestyle public relations.

Ms Reed, who joined FCA in January 2015 after four years with BMW Group Australia (where she served as media relations manager and marketing events manager), was most recently senior manager of brand marketing for FCA’s Alfa Romeo and Fiat brands, and earlier served as senior manager of PR and communications across the group.

Dave Harding’s appointment late last year as FCA Australia’s new senior corporate communications manager (reporting to the newly appointed department head Tracie Stoltenburg) has seen his former employer, Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA), hire a new senior PR and sponsorship manager.

Emma Glynn has joined Brisbane-based IUA from Queensland’s Moreton Island Adventures, where for the past five years she served in senior roles including commercial tourism manager and business development manager.

Ms Glynn’s appointment bolsters the IUA PR team that also recently welcomed former Yamaha Motor Australia national marketing and online communications co-ordinator Mark Harman as PR and sponsorship manager.

Among other moves, Audi Australia has reshaped its corporate communications team under marketing and communications director Anna Burgdorf and corporate communications manager Shaun Cleary, with recent appointments including Sean McKeever as online communications executive and Jytte Heidorn as corporate communications co-ordinator.

Senior corporate communications events executive Laura Kelly also left the company at the end of last year.

Suzuki Australia’s PR, sponsorships and events co-ordinator Lauren Jameson left the Japanese car-maker late last year and is now a venue sourcing specialist with corporate services firm HRG.

GoAuto understands that a successor for Ms Jameson has been recruited – from outside the industry – and is set to start in February.

By Terry Martin