GM Names New VP of Communications

2010-03-03

DETROIT – General Motors today announced that Selim Bingol has been appointed GM vice president of communications, effective March 8.  Bingol, 49, will report to Ed Whitacre, chairman and CEO.

“Selim brings a wealth of experience to this position and his deep and diverse background will serve us well as we accelerate our efforts to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles,” said Whitacre.  “I have worked with Selim over the years on several complex communication issues and he has my trust and respect.”

Bingol will have overall responsibility for GM’s global communications, including global products and brands, corporate, public policy, executive support, and internal communications.

“I have been fortunate to have great assignments and work with talented professionals throughout my career,” said Bingol.  “I am excited to be part of a team that is taking GM to new heights.”

Bingol has deep experience in all facets of communications.  He was most recently senior vice president and senior partner with Fleishman-Hillard, where he specialized as a senior communications strategist to large international clients across diverse industries.

Prior to being senior partner of Fleishman-Hillard, Bingol was senior vice president of corporate communications for AT&T.  He was responsible for leading the public relations organization for AT&T through one of the most dynamic periods in its history, including nearly $200 billion in mergers and acquisitions.  Prior to joining AT&T in 2004, he was vice president of SBC Communications.

Bingol succeeds Chris Preuss, who was appointed vice president and president, OnStar, to lead the company’s global infotainment and connectivity initiatives.

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BIOGRAPHY

Selim Bingol
GM Vice President, Communications

Selim Bingol was appointed vice president, Communications on March 8, 2010, with overall responsibility for GM’s global communications, including global products and brands, corporate, public policy, executive support and internal communications.

Most recently, Bingol served as senior vice president and senior partner with Fleishman-Hillard, where he specialized as a senior communications strategist to large international clients across diverse industries.

Bingol previously served as a senior counselor with experience in managing all facets of corporate communications, most recently as the executive in charge of corporate communications for AT&T Inc. during a time of unprecedented growth, merger and acquisition activity and federal and state regulatory scrutiny.

As Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications at AT&T, Selim led internal and external communications, including media relations, marketing communications, special events, crisis communications and executive support.  He was also responsible for managing media and public appearances for CEO Ed Whitacre at the time when Whitacre transformed the communications industry through nearly $200 billion in mergers and acquisitions.

The AT&T corporate communications team earned numerous awards, including the Page Principles Award, the Platinum Sabre and multiple Silver Anvils for its work.

Prior to assuming that role in 2004, Selim worked within the company’s corporate communications team since 1997, where he served as speechwriter for CEO Whitacre and as the company’s chief media spokesman on a range of public affairs, regulatory and mergers and acquisition issues.

Selim first joined Fleishman-Hillard in 1989 as a member of the public affairs team in the Washington, DC office.

Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, Selim served a Washington, D.C.-based press secretary for then-U.S. Rep. Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Selim and his family live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is active in local civic organizations.

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