California International Auto Show Names Jackson-Dawson PR Agency Of Record

ANAHEIM, Calif., April 6 -- The California International Auto Show (CIAS), the first major market auto show of the new model year, today announced that it has named Jackson-Dawson Communications its public relations agency of record. The announcement was made jointly by the co-directors of the show, John Sackrison, executive director, Orange County Auto Dealers Association, and Todd Leutheuser, executive director, Southland Motor Car Dealers Association.

"We are impressed by the depth of significant automotive experience and creative thinking demonstrated by the Jackson-Dawson team," Sackrison said. "It was important for us to affiliate with a national PR agency in order to reach the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves. This group is well-established and highly-regarded in the automotive industry, and it will be instrumental in the continued growth and development of our show."

As agency of record for the CIAS, Jackson-Dawson will develop and implement a strategic communications plan, including management of the show's media relations efforts and related show events. The agency joins the existing CIAS communications team, which includes Joe Rohatynski, a Detroit-based auto industry advisor/manufacturer liaison, who previously managed the public relations for the North American International Auto Show; and Lauren Holzman, director of public relations for Motor Trend Auto Shows, producers of the CIAS and 14 other auto shows in the United States.

"We are pleased to add Jackson-Dawson to our team of communications professionals," said Leutheuser. "They are good listeners and have quickly demonstrated how well they understand the needs and objectives of this auto show. There's no question that this show is going places, and Jackson-Dawson will help us get there."

The CIAS account will be led by Jack R. Nerad, director of Jackson-Dawson's public relations practice, who previously served as vice president-account director of the Mazda Motor of America account for Hill and Knowlton, and group director of the Kia Motors account for Pacific Communications Group. Nerad, a former editor of Motor Trend magazine, says the company brings years of significant automotive communications experience to the CIAS account.

"We at Jackson-Dawson are excited to work with the forward-thinking California International Auto Show management to help take the show to the next level," Nerad said. "We look forward to working with the auto manufacturers, the media and the public to build on CIAS's impressive history."

The 2004 edition of the California International Auto Show (CIAS) will take place October 27-31 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California. The show is owned and presented by the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association and the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association. CIAS is a member of Auto Shows of North America.

With headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, Jackson-Dawson Communications has offices in Torrance, California; Greenville, South Carolina; and New York. The CIAS account will be managed out of its Torrance office.