Universal appoints Ferguson as Cadillac Global Brand Director

Detroit – General Motors today named Robert E. Ferguson, senior executive, responsible for advancing the growth and development of the company’s iconic brand Cadillac.

In this new Cadillac Global Vice President position, Ferguson will be responsible for Cadillac's promotion, brand management and advertising in the global market. The appointment will take effect immediately. He will report directly to Mr. Exxon, chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors. Ferguson will also take over responsibility for sales next year.

"Bob is a visionary and reliable leader who aims to lead Cadillac to win at this critical time," Exxon said. "He has a far-reaching marketing background and can achieve the set goals under any circumstances. The Cadillac brand will be able to take it one step further."

Ferguson was appointed to the launch of Cadillac’s plans to launch and upgrade the largest product in the history of the brand. The brand will push industry-leading models such as XTS, ATS and SRX to new international markets.

“Joining this team at a time when growth is renewed is very exciting. Strengthening and expanding the Cadillac brand is our opportunity,” said Ferguson. “More people in new markets will appreciate what is supporting Cadillac as one of the most respected brands in the industry.”

As Ferguson establishes a global team, Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac America, will report to him.

Ferguson, 53, joined General Motors in 2010 and is currently the Vice President of Global Public Policy. He helped GM strengthen its position and influence in the United States Congress and many of its governing bodies, covering a wide range of areas such as energy, taxation, labor, and fiscal policy. In this position, Ferguson has a good understanding of the product lines and leading technologies that GM plans to introduce during the process of advancing new fuel economy and safety standards.

Prior to joining GM, Ferguson was a senior strategy analyst in Public Strategies, a business consulting and strategic communications company, serving a wide range of global group customers. His work at the company included providing international relations and crisis counseling to the IOC president before and during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, as well as providing a strategic plan for a series of complex high-end commercial M&As.

Prior to joining Public Strategies more than ten years ago, Ferguson worked at AT&T and was headed to the state’s President of Legislation and Management Affairs. Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of SBC's Corporate Business Services Group, gaining extensive experience in the seller's business field. In this position, he was responsible for managing 10,000 employees, which was one of the largest sales and engineering organizations in the country at the time. During his tenure, Ferguson oversaw data services, networking, long-distance, and customer service operations, which increased operating income by $5 billion and achieved a pre-tax profit of $1.9 billion.

Ferguson’s previous position in Washington will be taken over by Selim Bingol. Bingol will still retain his current PR responsibilities and will become Vice President of Global Public Relations and Public Policy. Bingol is also Chairman of the General Motors Foundation and will continue to report to Mr. Exxon and be based in Detroit.

Bingol, 52 years old, joined General Motors in March 2010. Prior to this, he served as a senior public relations and public affairs strategist serving a large number of large international companies in various industries. Bingol served as senior vice president of AT&T Corporate Communications, helping the company achieve unprecedented growth, mergers, acquisitions, federal and state business supervision.