American Honda Establishes New Product, Sales & Dealer

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has created a new Product, Sales and Dealer Communications Division positioned within Auto Sales that unifies key product, dealer and sales communications functions into a single organization. Jessica Fini, formerly leading American Honda PR, heads the new division, which will leverage the synergy of bringing together different disciplines to growing auto sales momentum as the company prepares for the market introduction of its first volume EV models: the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S.

The new Product, Sales and Dealer Communications Division brings together Product Public Relations (PR) for Honda and Acura automobiles, Dealer Communications and Events, Auto Sales Training and the Interactive Network (iN) dealer communications portal. In addition, the division includes Motorsports PR and Marketing and the oversight of Honda power equipment and marine communications responsibilities.

“As we continue to transform our brands and our business for the electrified and digital future, we’re building a strong, integrated communications team to deploy product and business information to our customers and dealers,” said Mamadou Diallo, senior vice president of Auto Sales for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Jessica has the communications and organizational experience to lead this strategic approach during this critical and exciting time for our brands.”

A 20-year Honda veteran, Fini most recently served as the senior manager and department head of American Honda Public Relations, leading the Honda and Acura PR teams through many successful product launches, including the all-new 2022 Honda Civic and all-new 2023 Acura Integra – earning North American Car of the Year TM honors in back-to-back years. Fini also is responsible for the American Honda Collection Hall, currently being reimagined in the lobby of the company’s U.S. headquarters in Torrance, Calif.

Within the new Product, Sales & Dealer Communications Division, American Honda also has welcomed new associates and changes to roles within its U.S. Public Relations department.

New to Role in Public Relations:

Andrew Quillin is now the department head of American Honda Public Relations. Previously, he served as the Group Lead of Acura Brand PR overseeing strategy and product launch activities.

Matt Burnam is now the Group Lead of Acura Brand PR overseeing strategy and product launch activities. Previously, he supported communication related to automotive design and new technology.

Jake Berg now represents the Western region for Acura Brand PR and is the press fleet contact for the Western region for Acura automobiles. Previously, he was based in Ohio serving regional and technical media along with supporting motorsports.

New to Public Relations:

Matt Fink joins the American Honda PR team located in Ohio, serving regional and technical media along with supporting motorsports.

Current Public Relations Team Members:

In addition to new associates and role changes, the American Honda PR team continues to support media across the country through the following Honda, Acura and Motorsports contacts:

Chuck Schifsky is the Manager of Motorsports PR and Marketing and the primary contact for all U.S. Motorsports activities. Chuck is in Indianapolis to better serve the motorsports media.

Natalie Kumaratne is the Group Lead of Honda Brand PR overseeing strategy and product launch activities.

Chris Martin is the Group Lead of Regulatory, Legal and Technology Communications overseeing electrification initiatives, safety and regulatory activities.

Chris Naughton is the Group Lead of PR Field Communications and continues to serve as the Northeast region PR contact for both automobile brands. Chris is the press fleet contact for the Northeast region for Honda and Acura automobiles.

Carl Pulley represents the Western region for Honda Brand PR and the new American Honda Collection Hall at the Torrance headquarters. Carl is the press fleet contact for the Western region for Honda automobiles.

Lynn Seely is the primary media relations contact for journalists in the Midwest region, based out of Detroit. Lynn covers both Honda and Acura automobile brands, which includes press fleet operations in the Midwest region.

Antonio Jakes represents the Southeastern region for Honda PR, based in Alpharetta, Georgia, and supports the automotive, marine and power equipment business units of American Honda. Antonio is the press fleet contact for the Southeastern region.

Brad Nelson oversees Technical Communications including development of technical materials and management of the media website (www.hondanews.com) for both Honda and Acura automobiles. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Brad will also support local media relations.

Lorretta Gamboa leads events support for both public relations and dealer communications.

Karen Prieto provides Administrative and Motorsports support for the AHM public relations department.