Hyundai appoints Wallis Marketing Consultants for Africa and Middle East Public Relations

Hyundai Africa and Middle East has appointed Wallis Marketing Consultants as its public relations agency in the Africa and Middle East region. The contract, commencing March 2016, sees the UAE-based agency handling the group’s media activity throughout Africa and the Middle East, including the GCC and Levant, as well as North Africa and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Wallis’ appointment comes as Hyundai clearly establishes itself as one of the front-ranked car makers in the region. As well as handling the core Hyundai model line, Wallis will also work closely with the carmaker in establishing the new Genesis luxury brand.

“Hyundai is in a period of rapid expansion worldwide, both in the volume of cars we manufacture, and the range of models we offer worldwide,” said Jin (James) Kim, Vice-President and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East said. “We are already the leading brand for passenger cars in the region, with strong sales throughout the region. As an independent agency with its roots in the region, Wallis offers us the combination of substance and regional knowledge to help us drive our continuing growth.”

Established in Dubai in 1999, Wallis Marketing Consultants ranks among the leading independent public relations agencies in the Middle East, with offices and representatives in several key regional markets.

“We offer our clients a clear focus on the region, and have a deep understanding of the media landscape in both English and Arabic,” said Michael Wallis, Managing Partner at Wallis 

Marketing Consultants. “Our clients appreciate that we can offer them day-to-day public relations support and strategic counsel of direct relevance to local markets.”

“We are joining Hyundai at an exciting time,” added Michael Wallis. “The company has achieved huge success with its existing line of passenger cars and SUV models, and 2016 will see two landmark developments – the repositioning of the luxury Genesis models as a stand-alone brand, and the launch of the IONIQ, the first low-emissions car to offer a choice of three powertrains: hybrid, plug-in, and full-electric. We look forward to telling Hyundai’s story in Africa and the Middle East.”