Kia Motors America says that effective immediately Michael Sprague, formerly executive vice president of marketing and communications, has assumed the newly created role of executive vice president of sales and marketing following the departure of its executive vice president of sales, Tom Loveless.
No reason was given for the sudden change at the Korean company, which along with sister brand Hyundai, has a growing reputation as being difficult to work for. (See John Krafcik out as Hyundai President and CEO)
Under the new organizational structure, Adam Perlow, formerly KMA’s eastern region executive director, is named vice president of sales operations and will report to Mr. Sprague.
Sprague joined KMA in 2008. He will serve as the central point of “contact” for all sales and marketing activities, and as part of the restructuring, retail development will report to him. During his tenure, KMA has launched 16 new or redesigned vehicles while increasing consumer awareness and consideration for the brand through expanded marketing activities, including: Super Bowl advertising, the hamster marketing campaigns for the Soul passenger vehicle, and sports marketing initiatives including Kia’s paid relationships with the NBA and LPGA.
“On behalf of KMA, we thank Tom for his contributions to Kia’s growth in the U.S., and we wish him success in all his future endeavors,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.
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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
