Former Aston Martin Marketing Executive Matthew Clarke is hitching a ride with Karma Automotive.
Clarke was appointed director of communications for Irvine-based Karma earlier this month, and will help the luxury electric vehicle company shape its business and product plan.
He had spent more than 15 years at Aston Martin, most recently serving as general manager of marketing and communications, where he led the Americas’ region public relations, marketing and product planning efforts.
Karma Chief Executive Lance Zhou said in a statement that Clarke brings “the kind of brand management, experiential marketing and media communications leadership Karma needs to support our strong and well-funded future.”
Clarke’s former company is one of the few carmakers whose prices outpace that of Karma, whose Revero models start around $130,000. An Aston Martin Vantage model runs around $150,000.
The automaker also announced an addition to its in-house marketing team.
It named Ivan Wang director of social media and digital marketing—helping to lead its consumer-facing marketing and communication strategies.
Wang previously served as global director of social media and digital marketing at Los Angeles-based electric vehicle startup Faraday Future.
Karma has been ramping up efforts to get its name out into the public over the past year. Recent initiatives include introducing a limited-edition version of the Revero, called the Aliso Edition. It started at $145,000, and only 15 were available for purchase in the U.S. and Canada.
It also made its first appearance last week at Las Vegas’ Consumer Electronics Show, where it showcased how BlackBerry’s technology safeguards its Revero model, as well as fueling its infotainment, active noise reduction and echo cancellation features (see related story, page 1).
Meanwhile, Cypress-based automaker Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. also filled a top marketing spot, naming Kimberley Gardiner to the newly created role of vice president and chief marketing officer.
Gardiner previously served as director of marketing and communications for Irvine-based Kia Motors America.
The appointment comes after the automaker announced double-digit sales growth last year, up 14% to 118,074 units.
That marked the second consecutive year unit sales for Mitsubishi’s domestic operations to top the 100,000 mark.
Mitsubishi’s increased marketing efforts of late were profiled in last week’s edition of the Business Journal.
Gardiner will be responsible for overseeing all marketing communications in the U.S., including print and digital advertising, creative development, planning and integration of global marketing messages.
Originals Only
Vans Inc. and parent company VF Corp. are cracking down on copycats.
The Costa Mesa-based apparel, footwear and accessories label filed two separate trademark infringement lawsuits last month against two major retailers—Minneapolis-based Target Corp. and Irish fast-fashion retailer Primark.
Primark is alleged to have copied Vans’ popular Old Skool style, launched in 1977, and its Sk8-Hi shoe. Both feature the company’s trademarked “side stripe” and waffle-patterned sole, according to the lawsuit.
Vans claims Target made a similar violation by copying its Old Skool shoe, including the shape and silhouette.
The footwear in question was released by Target as part of its Gen-Z focused Wild Fable line, which launched in August with prices under $40.
The Wild Fable style known as the Camella Lace Up Sneakers retails for $15 as opposed to Vans’ version that sells for about $60.
One customer even posted an online review three months ago stating, “I love my fake Vans!”
Bits & Pieces
Irvine-based digital ad firm AutoWeb Inc. (Nasdaq: AUTO) named Mark Ugar vice president of strategy and development, a newly created role at the company. Ugar previously served as senior vice president of business development and strategic partnerships at YP Holdings, formerly YellowPages.com. … Peter Novak left his post as vice president of sales at Irvine-based 5.11 Tactical to become president of Modesto-based adventure apparel and accessories company Sherpa Adventure Gear.
