Honda UK Strengthens Press Office

• Simon Branney joins team as PR Communications Manager
• Simon brings over 11 years' experience working on household name brands such as Volvo, Nissan, MINI, Hyundai, Kia, Twitter, London 2012 and Currys PC World
• Honda brand set for massive revitalisation in 2015 with all new product range and much heralded return to F1 racing

Honda UK has brought in Simon Branney as PR Communications Manager as the automotive giant plans for a busy 2015.

Simon joins from an account director role at Nobull Communications where he ran the motoring side of the business, focusing on b2b marcomms activity for Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Cobra UK and Sewells Research and Insight, along with the PR for the Volvo retailer network.

Bringing over a decade of PR experience, Simon has worked on Volvo, Nissan, Kia, MINI and Hyundai as well as household name brands such as Twitter, Currys PC World, the London and Southampton Boat Shows, and the successful mass behavioural change campaign 'Get Ahead of the Games' for London 2012.

Reporting into automotive industry PR veteran Karen Parry, who joined in July, Simon will be responsible for managing the external communications for the car products, working closely with the automotive specialist media alongside pushing the coverage beyond traditional motoring pages and into the consumer, lifestyle and broadcast arenas.

Head of Corporate Affairs at Honda UK, Rebecca Stead commented: "Honda has ambitious plans for 2015 as we look to return the brand to the glory days. We have a raft of new product set to hit the marketplace over the next 12 months as well as the much anticipated return to Formula One racing with McLaren.

"We are delighted to have Simon on board, making use of his skills, experience and energy to maximise the opportunity we have ahead of us to ensure people understand the brand once more and get people back in to a Honda car."

"I'm delighted to be joining Honda at what is a very exciting time," said Simon. "Honda as a brand has such strong equity with its target audiences and is in the perfect position to springboard into a fantastic 2015."

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To help with diary planning:-
New Civic, Civic Tourer and Civic Sport Arrives Spring 2015
New CR-V Arrives Spring 2015
New Civic Type R Arrives Summer 2015
New Jazz Arrives Summer 2015
New HR-V Arrives Summer 2015
NSX Launching Detroit 2015
New Hydrogen Fuel Cell 2016

CAR TEAM

Simon Branney, PR Communications Manager (Car and Corporate)
T: 01753 590193 M: 07824 866400 E: simon.branney@honda-eu.com

Monique Clarke, Press Fleet and Corporate Affairs Assistant
T: 01753 590372 E: monique.clarke@honda-eu.com

Keith Snowman, Vehicle Logistics
T: 01753 766887 M: 07802 642534 E: pressfleet@honda-eu,com

Ellie Ostinelli, PR Communications Manager (Car & Corporate) – on maternity leave looking after Arthur
E: ellie.wright@honda-eu.com

MOTORCYCLES TEAM

PR Manager – TBC

Natasha Long, Press Fleet Administrator (Motorcycles)
T: 0844 335 6409 E: natasha@kcsgroup.co.uk

POWER EQUIPMENT

Maddy Phelps, Power Equipment PR Consultant
M: 07957 490354 E: maddy@musecommunications.co.uk

ALL BUSINESS AREAS

Rebecca Stead, Head of Corporate Affairs (Media and Events)
T: 01753 590318 M: 07979 906150 E: rebecca.stead@honda-eu.com

Karen Parry, Manager - Corporate Affairs (media relations - car, motorcycle, power equipment and motorsport)
T: 01753 590768 M: 07775 035 220 E: Karen.Parry@honda-eu.com

Tara Berry, Social Media Manager
T: 01753 590047 M: 07872 103687 E: tara.berry@honda-eu.com

Emma Toothill, Internal Communications Executive
T: 01753 590206 M: 07872 103822 E: emma.toothill@honda-eu.com

Sharon Hogg, PR Events Manager
T: 01753 590707 M: 07887 678180 E: sharon.hogg@honda-eu.com

Selina Palmer, PR Events & Press Fleet Executive
T: 01753 590197 M: 07894 798593 E: selina.palmer@honda-eu.com

Tillie Smith , Corporate Affairs Assistant
T: 01753 590141 E: tillie.smith@honda-eu.com