‘Automotive enthusiast’ lands role

Nissan Oceania has appointed Steve Coughlan as head of communications and says he will draw on more than 23 years of global automotive experience as he tackles the role. 

Coughlan, pictured, will oversee Nissan’s media communications across Australia and New Zealand effective immediately.

He started his career with Toyota Australia at its Sydney-based sales and marketing office in 2003 and held roles across sales planning, accessory planning, product planning and product communications before leaving the company in late 2017.

Coughlan joined Nissan’s premium brand, Infiniti, at its global headquarters in Hong Kong early the next year.

In 2020, he relocated to Japan, joining Nissan’s global communications team at the brand’s headquarters in Yokohama. 

Between 2020 and 2023, he supported Infiniti’s global communications efforts, including the launch of the latest-generation QX60 and, more recently, the flagship QX80. 

Promotion to deputy director, global communications, came in 2023 as he expanded his remit to support Nissan and the NISMO motorsports team in Japan.

In his new role, Coughlan will report to Katherine Zachary, region vice-president, communications.

“Steve is a passionate automotive enthusiast who brings a wealth of global experience to the role,” she says.

“I know he’s excited to reconnect with media counterparts and meet new members of the media landscape across Australia and New Zealand as we roll out a range of highly anticipated new models, including the new Navara, Patrol, updated X-Trail and Qashqai in the year ahead.”