Former OnStar President Chris Preuss during a presentation at CES, in Las Vegas, earlier this month.
General Motors launched another round of executive changes, ousting the head of OnStar and placing a new executive in charge of marketing the company’s four “core” brands in North America.
Linda Marshall has been appointed president of OnStar, effective February 1, 2011. Marshall succeeds J. Christopher Preuss, who has “elected to leave the company” to launch a communications consultancy practice, GM said Tuesday.
“As we continue to evolve the OnStar brand and bring new features to our customers, we believe Linda’s deep experience can take the brand and platform to the next level,” said Stephen J. Girsky, vice chairman, corporate strategy and business development.
The shake-up at the telecommunications subsidiary comes as OnStar begins a big push to expand its customer base – among other things by offering an aftermarket mirror, which it will sell through Best Buy, that owners of non-GM vehicles can use to subscribe to the service. Preuss launched that new product and outlined other OnStar plans, earlier this month, at the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas.
“Over the past year, Chris was instrumental in helping create a clear vision and strategy for aligning OnStar with GM infotainment plans and entering the retail market. We thank Chris for his many contributions to GM and wish him every success,” Girsky said.
Marshall, who will report to Girsky, joined GM in November 2010 as executive director, OnStar global business strategy and development. Prior to joining OnStar, she was the chief operating officer for Revol Wireless. Her telecomm background involved industry links to GM CEO Dan Akerson who, himself, was actively involved in the telecommunications world before joining General Motors following its 2009 bankruptcy.
In a separate announcement, GM said Chris Perry was appointed vice president, U.S. marketing, replacing Joel Ewanick.
Perry’s appointment is effective Feb.1 and he will report to Ewanick, who was named Global Chief Marketing Officer on Dec. 17, 2010.
Perry, 50, had served as U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing, since September 2010 after being brought to GM by Ewanick. Prior to joining GM, Perry was vice president, marketing, Hyundai Motor America – where he also served as Ewanick’s top lieutenant. Prior to that, Perry spent nearly 10 years at American Isuzu Motors, where he held a variety of marketing and advertising positions.
In his new role, Perry will have responsibility for improving the positioning of the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands as well as consumer consideration of GM vehicles in the United States.
Rick Scheidt, currently executive director, Chevrolet product marketing, was named U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing, replacing Perry. Scheidt, 57, joined GM in 1980, and has held several marketing positions within GM, primarily with the Chevrolet brand.