Alfa Romeo HK names new chief marketing and PR officer

Alfa Romeo Hong Kong has named Katty Chu (pictured) as its new chief marketing and public relations officer. She will report to George Lau, founder and chief executive officer of Alfa Romeo Hong Kong, Azzurri Automobile.

Within her new position, Chu told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that she is tasked at developing and implementing marketing and PR strategies to promote the company and brand on its products or services; building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, including customers, media outlets, and industry influencers; managing partnerships, campaign development on marketing and PR communications; overseeing the creation and distribution of marketing and PR materials, such as advertisements, press releases, and social media content.

Chu has over 18 years of experience on PR and marketing in automobile luxury sector. "My work experience has provided me with a strong understanding not only limited to auto industry but also on luxury lifestyle about high-end customer’s behaviour," she said. 

Prior to the new position, Chu had worked at Audi for over 15 years. She joined Audi in September 2007 as assistant PR and advertising manager, according to her LinkedIn. In 2012 she helmed the role as senior PR and communications manager and got promoted to Audi Hong Kong's marketing and PR director after seven years. She was most recently marketing and PR director of AUDI AG regional office Hong Kong.

Alfa Romeo has appointed Azzurri Automobile as the sole official importer and distributor for the offices in Hong Kong and Macau since February 2023, which will take on the responsibility for full business operations, including wholesale and retail, sales, aftersales services, marketing and public relations, parts and accessories, as well as the used cars business in Hong Kong.

On the other hand, Alfa Romeo Global appointed Eligio Catarinella as its head of marketing and communication. He will report to Jean-Philippe Imparato, Alfa Romeo brand CEO. 

Among the main roles held before the current position, he has been head of product marketing Lancia/Chrysler for the EMEA region from 2012 to 2014, marketing director Fiat & Abarth in Italy from 2014 to 2016, country manager for Alfa Romeo and Jeep in Switzerland from 2016 to 2018. He came back to Italy in early 2019 as head of marketing & communication of FCA Italy, managing the product portfolio of all brands. From April 2020, he was appointed managing director of Fiat & Abarth brands in Italy.

Catarinella takes over from Francesco Calcara, who has held the same position since after the establishment of Stellantis. Calcara has paved the way for positioning Alfa Romeo as a premium Brand globally and has coordinated the launch of the first electrified vehicle in the brand's history, according to the release. 

Calcara assumes the role of chief operating officer of Free2move eSolutions, the group company that supports and encourages the transition to electric mobility, playing an active role in achieving affordable and clean mobility.

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