General Motors shook up its leadership again, following the recent departure of CEO Fritz Henderson. As part of the change, GM's head of communications, Chris Preuss, now reports to chairman of the board and CEO Ed Whitacre. He previously reported into vice chairman and CMO Bob Lutz who will no longer oversee marketing. Instead, Whitacre promoted Susan Docherty to VP, vehicle sales, service and marketing operations, though Lutz remains on in an advisory role.
Reporting directly into the CEO offers the communications division a stronger position within the organization. No word yet as to whether it's a permanent change.
Bloomberg has more on the management changes:
General Motors Co. Chairman Ed Whitacre turned to a new team that includes younger executives and more women as he tries to overhaul the automaker's “inbred” culture and halt four and a half years of losses.
Engineering chief Mark Reuss, 46, was promoted to president of GM's North American operations and Susan Docherty, 47, assumed control of a re-combined sales and marketing job among three women promoted today…
Whitacre has said in media interviews and in meetings with staffers that employees need to shed GM's culture and hasten efforts to cut costs and regain market share. He reiterated the pledge this week as his board ousted Henderson.