Since 2020, new car prices have risen by 30% which is making buying a new vehicle prohibitive to many. To meet those consumers, Vinay Shahani has put together the "six under $30K" campaign combining its six least expensive vehicles for a full-court marketing push on regional TV spots and social media. Shahani rejoined the automaker in January and is responsible for all sales and marketing activities for the Nissan brand in the U.S. and also has oversight of Infiniti Americas. He has 20 years of varied automotive industry experience ranging from product planner at Ford Motor Co. to vice president and marketing lead at the North American offices of the Volkswagen, Toyota and Lexus brands.

Kia focuses on the customer journey via marketing strategy and operations that include media, retail, product, digital, social, performance marketing, customer journey, experiential and events. Megan Gillam, who joined Kia last year from Meta, will share her unique perspective on what it takes for the brand to continue to top its sales records, recently recording its best dealer sales month in company history.

Raj Register joined Stellantis in June and is responsible for the company’s North American marketing, media and analytics efforts in support of the automotive company’s brand portfolio, which includes Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram. As part of a department restructure aligned with Register's new role, the company has made the strategic decision to combine marketing, social and digital media, website, analytics and paid media operations, allowing for centralized decision-making in support of a results-driven culture.

In today’s fast-paced market, understanding and adapting to consumers' evolving needs is crucial for success. This requires not just hearing, but truly listening to your audience. Phil O’Connor of Ford Motor Co. will explore how prioritizing "the power of choice" has played a pivotal role in shaping Ford's strategy and earning the company numerous accolades.

Sean Gilpin, who was recently elevated to Hyundai's CMO, will detail how he plans to  enhance consumer understanding of the automaker's innovation, mobility leadership and vision for the future of transportation. He leads the entire marketing function for Hyundai’s U.S. business, overseeing both creative and performance. His responsibilities include marketing strategy, creative execution, social, experiential and multicultural marketing, along with media buying strategy, customer communications and tier two marketing.