Dan Zukowski

Currently heading the Automotive & Corporate Practice at GolinHarris-Los Angeles, where I manage the national Toyota automotive public relations account, my career in the auto industry began on the showroom floor as a BMW salesman fresh out of college. Today I handle corporate communications, community relations, crisis and issues management along with product communications for Toyota and Lexus. My primary role is to provide senior counsel to client executive management.

Most recently, I managed the debut of the Lexus concept sports car at the 2012 Detroit auto show, and developed the global debut strategy for the new 2012 Toyota Camry. This groundbreaking launch generated two billion impressions from a simultaneous, multi-city live event and webcast. I was also responsible for the launch of Toyota Entune at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, where the new telematics service won two awards.

Previously, at other agencies, I have run the Honda corporate and automotive PR accounts, Kawasaki (motorcycles, watercraft and ATVs), and Suzuki (autos). I've also worked with Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia and Mitsubishi in my 30-year career in the auto industry.

I've done too many auto shows and vehicle launches to count, and I've been involved in most forms of motorsport from Supercross to NASCAR, IndyCar, and SCCA Pro Rally. I've opened new plants and dealt with issues ranging from natural disasters to legal and regulatory issues, technology and brand reputation.

I've created legendary, award-winning campaigns such as the "Get Together for Good Times" three-year series of motorcycle rallies for Kawasaki and "Dave or Bust!" for Hyundai.

Prior to entering PR, I was the New York Editor for Ward’s, a leading Detroit-based publisher of automotive industry trade magazines and newsletters. As an automotive journalist, my byline appeared in leading publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle, Newsday, and San Jose Mercury News.

• Auto Show: Lexus LF-LC Debut

  • October 2011 to January 2012
  Team Members: Dan Zukowski

  Winner of the 2012 EyesOn Design Award at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the stunning Lexus LF-LC concept vehicle was introduced through a strategic plan of high-quality teaser images and an exclusive preview for Road & Track magazine.

• Toyota "100 Cars for Good" Program

  • February 2011 to Present
  Team Members: Dan Zukowski

  A Facebook-centered corporate social responsibility campaign, Toyota awarded 100 cars over 100 days to 100 non-profits based on public voting. We generated a huge amount of local and national media and online coverage, helping ensure that the campaign returned for 2012.

• Product Launch: Toyota Entune

  • September 2010 to January 2011
  Team Members: Dan Zukowski

  Toyota intended to debut its new multimedia system, Entune, at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. We crafted a detailed plan to engage media leading up to and during CES, while educating auto industry analysts via a live preview webcast. Entune won two best-of-show awards, and we continued to support the launch with follow-up events both standalone and integrated with vehicle press previews.

• Global Debut: 2012 Toyota Camry

  • February 2011 to August 2011
  Team Members: Dan Zukowski

  A critical launch for Toyota's - and America's - best-selling car had to break through competitive noise and generate excitement among consumers, dealers, and the media. We devised a simultaneous global reveal strategy, originating from Los Angeles with a massive event at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Press events in Detroit and New York were tied in by satellite, as was the Camry manufacturing plant in Georgetown, KY where Toyota president Akio Toyoda drove the first vehicle off the line. The event was webcast live around the world, with consumers, dealers and Toyota associates invited to watch. More than two billion media impressions were generated, consumer interest spiked on car shopping sites, and the vehicle launched to strong sales.

• Senior Vice President | Executive Director

  GolinHarris

  • Stellar Meeting Presentation Performance (Louws)

• Society of Automotive Analysts

• Motor Press Guild

• International Motor Press Association

• Detroit Economic Club

• International Academy of the Visual Arts

  • 2007 to Present

  The IAVA is an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a "Who's Who" of acclaimed media, communications, advertising, creative and marketing firms. IAVA members include executives from organizations such as Alloy Media + Marketing, Coach, Conde Nast, Disney, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee Lauder, Keller Crescent, HBO, Monster.com, MTV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sotheby's Institute of Art, Tribal DDB, Victoria's Secret, Wired, and Yahoo!

1. Automotive Public Relations
2. Automotive Marketing
3. Vehicle Launches
4. Luxury Brand Experience
5. Strategic Communications
6. Crisis Communications
7. Corporate Communications
8. Corporate Social Responsibility
9. Issues Management
10. Executive Visibility
11. Community Relations
12. Digital Media
13. Social Media
14. Reputation Management
15. Speech Writing
16. Creative Strategy
17. Team Leadership
18. Media Relations
19. Product Launches
20. Marketing Communications
21. Internal Communications
22. Public Relations
23. Automotive
24. Creative Development
25. Event Management
26. Presentation Development
27. Press Releases
28. Writing
29. Team Building
30. Communications Strategy
31. Motorsports

View All (31) Skills View Fewer Skills

Websites:

• GolinHarris

Interests:

hiking, baseball, photography, writing, travel

Groups and Associations:

* Member, Society of Automotive Analysts * Member, Motor Press Guild * Member, International Motor Press Association * Member, Detroit Economic Club * Member, International Academy of the Visual Arts

• 
  Automotive Industry Professionals
• 
  Automotive Industry Professionals Worldwide
• 
  Automotive News
• 
  Automotive OEM Professionals
• 
  Automotive Pro Network
• 
  Corporate Communication
• 
  Crisis Communication
• 
  Detroit Economic Club
• 
  Fordham Preparatory School Alumni
• 
  Fordham University Alumni Networking Association
• 
  J.D. Power Automotive Marketing Roundtable
• 
  Japan America Society of Southern California
• 
  Media and Marketing
• 
  Public Relations Professionals
• 
  Public Relations and Communications Professionals
• 
  SAA -- Society of Automotive Analysts
• 
  thinkLA

Honors and Awards:

* Finalist, 2012 PR Week Awards, Consumer Launch Campaign, for Toyota Camry
* 50+ awards as writer/producer of numerous corporate video productions: Telly Awards, Davey Awards, Aegis Awards, Communicator Awards, Ava Awards, Hermes Creative Award.
* 1994 PRSA award for website development for a health care/technology client.