Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Tim Chaney |
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. Hires Automotive Veteran Tim Chaney as Vice President of Marketing
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has announced that Tim Chaney has joined the company as vice president of marketing. Chaney is responsible for leading all Toyo Tires marketing efforts in the United States, including go-to-market strategy, brand management and brand development. Areas under his guidance include advertising, creative, content development, sponsorships, events, public relations, direct marketing, dealer support, including dealer training, and consumer and dealer websites. He reports to Roy Bromfield, president and chief executive officer of Toyo Tires. Chaney brings more than 30 years of marketing and automotive experience to Toyo Tires, including 15 years at Kia Motors America, where he most recently served as vice president of marketing communications. Prior to that, Chaney spent nearly 16 years at Nissan North America. He succeeds Senior Director of Marketing Amy Coleman, who retired in September of this year.
 Kelly Hogan |
Martin & Company Expands Social Media Department, Hires Digital Marketing Manager
Zan Martin, president of Martin & Company Advertising, has announced the addition of Kelly Hogan, who recently had served as an intern with Delk Industries in Nashville, Tennessee. For three years, Hogan also served as the ecommerce manager, product researcher and supply-chain relations manager for MB3 LLC. She reports directly to Martin & Company Vice President of Digital Marketing Jeff Lee.
 Bob Roese |
Bob Roese Returns to Wilwood in Business Development Role
Wilwood Disc Brakes has welcomed Bob Roese back to the Wilwood business development team. Roese spent three years with Wilwood in multiple capacities within the sales and tech department before semi-retiring in 2015 as manager of the sales department. In his new role, Roese will not only focus on generating new business and strengthening Wilwood’s relationships with its current customer-base, but also on dealer education and training.
Visteon and American Center for Mobility Partner to Develop Advanced Driving Technologies
Electronics supplier Visteon Corp. has announced that it has joined forces with the American Center for Mobility (ACM) to support the development and testing of connected and automated transportation technologies. With a $5 million strategic investment, Visteon is the first Tier-1 automotive supplier to join ACM as a founder-level sponsor. The American Center for Mobility is a non-profit testing and product-development facility at the historic Willow Run site in Ypsilanti, Michigan, dedicated to leading the safe development of automated technologies and vehicles onto America’s roads. Visteon intends to use the center to test and validate technology related to its DriveCore artificial intelligence-based autonomous driving platform.
Marx Group Receives Two 2017 Automotive Communications Awards
Marx Group was awarded two Automotive Communications Awards at the 2017 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas. The first award, in the business-to-business category, was for Best Website - Analytics showing success of new website, for its own website, www.marxgrp.com. The second award, in the business-to-consumer category, was for Best Print or Digital Display Ad Campaign, for the Philips Automotive Lighting “Turn On, Turn Heads” campaign for its client, Lumileds. The agency was acknowledged at the Automotive Communications Awards ceremony during the Women in Auto Care (formerly Car Care Council Women’s Board) news conference at AAPEX, November 1. The awards recognize companies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and public relations efforts.
 Brake Parts Inc. was recently honored as a 2017 McHenry County Business Champion in the category of companies with 300 employees or more. |
Brake Parts Inc. Named McHenry County Business Champion
Brake Parts Inc. was recently honored as a 2017 McHenry County Business Champion in the category of companies with 300 employees or more. In attendance to accept the award—presented by the McHenry County Economic Development Corp.—was Brake Parts’ President and CEO David Overbeeke. More than 400 business leaders from all over the county gathered to celebrate businesses nominated for their drive to bolster both the local economy and community.
Lubrication Specialties Launches 20th Anniversary Online Promotion
In celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary, Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) announced its Hot Shot’s Secret online promotion. With any online purchase made at www.hotshotsecret.com, LSI will give away a free 16-oz. bottle of original HSS Stiction Eliminator. The company developed the original Hot Shot’s Secret Stiction Eliminator in 2004 to resolve issues related to malfunctioning HEUI injectors for the 6.0L Ford Power Stroke. Visitors making a purchase at the site can enter the code LSI20, and the product, valued at $17.95, will be automatically added during checkout at no charge. The 20th anniversary online promotion is in effect for a limited time and is in addition to current Hot Shot Secret product specials.
 Jerry DeMarino |
Sparta Evolution Hires Jerry DeMarino as Vice President of Sales
Sparta Evolution has appointed performance aftermarket industry veteran Jerry DeMarino as its vice president of sales, reporting directly to CEO Jun Chun. DeMarino’s responsibilities will include customer strategy and development, product strategy, directing special projects and continuing to grow the Sparta Evolution brand. Before joining Sparta Evolution, DeMarino was the director of business development for Performance Friction for one year. Prior to that, DeMarino worked in a variety of positions at Hawk Performance for 18 years, ending as the global director of sales and marketing. DeMarino was responsible for pioneering the growth of the Hawk Performance brand from a small business in 1997 to a globally recognized brand in the motorsports, street performance and powersports markets.
 Combs (left) with Mike and Jim Ring of the Ringbrothers during the SEMA Show unveiling of Prestone's 90th anniversary '72 AMC Javelin AMX project car. |
Prestone Partners With Jessi Combs
Prestone Products Corp. partnered with Jessi Combs prior to her upcoming race in Mexico’s Baja, California, Peninsula. The partnership comes after Combs hosted the unveiling of Prestone’s 90th Anniversary project car—a ’72 AMC Javelin AMX built by Ringbrothers—at the 2017 SEMA Show. TV personality, metal fabricator and “Queen of the Hammers,” Combs will drive a truck powered by Prestone products as she undertakes the longest non-stop, point-to-point race in the world. The race will take place November 16–17.
Continental Conducts Successful TPMS Training Program for Automotive Parts Headquarters
Continental Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket conducted a successful TPMS training program for a group of store owners and managers from Automotive Parts Headquarters (APH), a Continental and TPMS program retail partner. The training event was held at Continental’s Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and conducted by Continental Sales Technical Training Specialist Sean Lannoo. During the event, representatives from various APH stores across the country learned about critical TMPS service requirements, proper parts, troubleshooting and installations procedures, and sales techniques.
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