Continental is consolidating its public affairs and external affairs activities under its Group Public Affairs department. Dr Thorsten Burger (43), previously head of external affairs, has become the new department’s head, also overseeing Conti’s Berlin political office.
Goodyear has appointed Kate Rock-Rees as its new head of external communications EMEA. In her new position, Rock-Rees will be responsible for proactively shaping the corporate reputation strategy for the EMEA region, the company states. She will also become “a steward of Goodyear’s corporate brand-building initiatives,” the company adds. Such initiatives include Goodyear’s Better Future corporate responsibility programme.
Former Goodyear Dunlop EMEA marketing and communications director, James Bailey, has joined a Birmingham-based PR, social media and communications agency Reeves, to lead a newly-created unit that will focus on the automotive, manufacturing and vehicle technology sectors.
Mike Lawton has been appointed head of communications for Europe North at Michelin Tyre. Lawton joined Michelin as UK customer services manager in 1999 after stints at ceramics giant Wedgwood and fashion brand Austin Reed. For the last five years, he has been commercial director for Michelin Tyre’s agriculture and construction division, a position which was been taken up by Martyn Pointer.
Michelin communications head, Michael Küster will take on additional responsibility for commercial vehicle tyres and the Travel Publishing Group public relations on 1 July. Küster was previously head of product and motorsport communications with responsibility for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region). Nina Grigoleit, who previously supervised these areas, will take on other duties within the company.
EMG, the leading international B2B and industrial communication specialist, has been appointed by Trelleborg industrial tyres operations, to develop and manage its media relations programme in the EMEA.
