DEARBORN, MICH. — WPP has named Chris Preuss, a car industry veteran with experience at Ford, executive VP of global public affairs & marketing communications of its dedicated Ford communications team.

Preuss will lead the multi-agency team, which works in collaboration with Ford's communications unit, led by the car company’s VP of communications Mark Truby. He replaces Gary Koops, global practice chair for the newly merged Burson Cohn & Wolfe, who has been on the Ford team since 2007, and will stay on as a member.

"Chris brings a wealth of experience and leadership to WPP's blended, public affairs team.  We're very excited to have him back,"  Truby said.

Preuss joins from vehicle-focused tech company Aptiv, where he was senior VP of marketing and communications. Before joining that company, he was Ford’s head of communications for the Americas and Global Product.

Preuss' career also includes more than a decade of experience at General Motors, where he held various leadership roles, including president and CEO of OnStar, GM's in-vehicle safety and security unit.