United States

Hyundai Motor America eliminates CMO position and divides marketing department

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • Hyundai Motor America has eliminated the CMO role and split its marketing group into two specialized divisions to enhance marketing efficiency and consumer engagement.
  • The restructuring aims to create more innovative and impactful marketing campaigns that resonate with different segments of the market.
  • Recent campaigns, such as "The Drop," highlight Hyundai's commitment to cultural relevance and consumer engagement, showcasing the company's dedication to celebrating and representing diverse cultures in its marketing efforts.

Hyundai Motor America has taken a bold step in reshaping its marketing strategy by eliminating the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role and splitting its marketing group into two distinct divisions. This strategic move is designed to optimize marketing performance and better align with the evolving consumer landscape.

According to Angela Zepeda, the former CMO of Hyundai Motor America, the restructuring aims to "drive the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe into the limelight through an intentional and fresh cultural perspective" while ensuring that the company's marketing efforts are more targeted and effective. The two new divisions will focus on creative marketing leadership and consumer engagement, respectively, allowing for more specialized and efficient marketing operations.

The decision to eliminate the CMO role and split the marketing group is part of Hyundai's broader strategy to enhance its brand communication and consumer experience. By creating two specialized divisions, Hyundai aims to address the unique needs of its diverse consumer base more effectively. This move is expected to lead to more innovative and impactful marketing campaigns that resonate with different segments of the market.

Hyundai's recent marketing campaigns, such as "The Drop," which integrates sneaker culture with the dynamic lifestyle of the new 2024 Santa Fe, exemplify the company's commitment to cultural relevance and consumer engagement. The campaign, developed in collaboration with Culture Brands, a minority- and women-owned agency, highlights Hyundai's dedication to celebrating and representing African American culture in its marketing efforts.

"The Drop" campaign features a sneakerhead who misses out on a hyped release but impresses his friends by pulling up in a 2024 Santa Fe. This creative approach not only showcases the vehicle but also aligns with the experiences and aspirations of Hyundai's target audience. "With 'The Drop,' we're driving the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe into the limelight through an intentional and fresh cultural perspective," said Angela Zepeda in a press statement.

The restructuring of Hyundai's marketing group is also intended to enhance the company's ability to respond to changing consumer behavior and market trends. By dividing the marketing responsibilities into two specialized divisions, Hyundai can focus more on creative innovation and consumer engagement, ensuring that its marketing efforts are both effective and relevant.

In addition to the restructuring, Hyundai has also launched several other innovative marketing campaigns to promote its electric vehicle lineup. For instance, a recent campaign highlights the benefits of going electric with visually striking ads and partnerships with content creators. This campaign aims to alleviate consumer concerns about switching to electric vehicles and showcase Hyundai's commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Hyundai's decision to eliminate the CMO role and split its marketing group is a strategic move that reflects the company's commitment to staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing market. By focusing on creative marketing leadership and consumer engagement, Hyundai aims to enhance its brand communication and drive greater consumer loyalty.

Moreover, the restructuring aligns with Hyundai's broader organizational changes aimed at optimizing performance and addressing evolving consumer buying behavior. The company has also made several leadership changes to support its new marketing strategy and ensure that it is well-positioned to achieve its business goals.

Hyundai Motor America's decision to eliminate the CMO role and split its marketing group into two specialized divisions is a strategic move designed to enhance marketing efficiency and consumer engagement. By focusing on creative innovation and cultural relevance, Hyundai aims to drive greater brand loyalty and achieve long-term success in a competitive market.


Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
August 3, 2025 at 6:30:00 PM

Muslim-friendly travel platform revamped offerings with enticing new packages

Travel is changing—not just in where people go, but in how they move, what they value, and how they choose to experience the...

Image Credits: Unsplash
August 2, 2025 at 1:30:00 AM

How pre-K and career advancement for parents are connected

For millions of working parents, the preschool years are less about early childhood enrichment and more about one stark question: how do I...

Image Credits: Unsplash
August 2, 2025 at 1:00:00 AM

How luxury lost its edge—and the moves that could win customers back

Luxury used to command reverence. It was slow, scarce, and wrapped in ritual. Today, it’s everywhere—scrollable, hashtagged, and often indistinguishable from its knockoff...

Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 5:00:00 PM

What Malaysia’s Employment Insurance System really covers—and who qualifies

Losing your job is always hard. But in a country like Malaysia, where workers don’t receive traditional unemployment handouts, the financial and emotional...

Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 3:00:00 PM

Asia must harness AI for natural disaster management

Wednesday’s tsunami warnings triggered by a deep-sea earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula were not just seismological events. They were institutional ones. As alerts...

Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

What it will take for Hong Kong to lead in shipping again

The Development Bureau’s proposal to reclaim 301 hectares—145 near Lung Kwu Tan and 45 in Tuen Mun West—for a “smart and green industrial...

Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Taiwan welcomes reduced 20% US tariff—but faces growing pressure to offer deeper concessions

Taiwan has just been handed a partial reprieve: the United States will impose a 20% tariff on its exports instead of the previously...

Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Singapore stock market sell-off reveals deeper crisis of confidence

While headlines focused on the 1.1 percent drop in the Straits Times Index (STI) on July 31, a closer reading of the market...

Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Trump adjusts reciprocal tariffs ahead of deadline; Singapore expected to retain 10% rate

President Donald Trump’s 2025 tariff overhaul is not a symbolic gesture. It’s a structural realignment that reintroduces trade friction as a core feature...

Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Steve Witkoff, U.S. Envoy, will travel to Gaza as Trump, under pressure, looks for an aid plan

The appointment of Steve Witkoff—a New York real estate developer and longtime ally of Donald Trump—as a special envoy to Gaza marks a...

Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

US lowers tariff on Malaysian goods to 19% from 25%

The announcement landed without the usual political fanfare. On August 1, the United States quietly reduced its import tariff on all Malaysian goods...

Image Credits: Unsplash
August 1, 2025 at 11:30:00 AM

U.S. expands tariff hikes to dozens of countries

While headlines often zoom in on US–China friction, the more consequential pivot may be Washington’s decision to raise tariffs across a wider swath...

Load More