Navarro to lead Pirelli NAFTA communications

Pirelli Tire North America has appointed Rafael Navarro, III to the newly formed post of vice-president, Communications and Media Relations. In his new position, Navarro is responsible for all internal and external communications for Pirelli in the NAFTA region. His job description involves integrating public relations and working closely with the marketing and motorsport departments of all three country offices, overseeing brand activity. Additionally, he will continue to manage key influencer relationships in the region.

Navarro joined Pirelli as senior business development manager in 2006, and in this role was responsible for developing key tuning and influencer relationships for the company and leading the Italian tyre manufacturer’s celebrity partnership/spokespersons programme – a role that will continue in his new position.  During his tenure at Pirelli, Navarro has signed numerous partnership agreements, including with automotive designer and TV personality Chip Foose, DUB Magazine publisher and TV personality Myles Kovacs and American rally driver Ken Block. 

In 2007 Navarro was promoted to the position of director of Media Relations and Motorsport – a position in which he drew upon his 20 years of racing experience to direct the company’s North American Motorsports programmes. In this position he was involved in the successful execution of several key supply contracts, including the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Racing Series, the Pirelli Driver’s Cup, the VW TDI Cup and the SCCA Pirelli World Challenge racing series, and he also directed support operations for series such as the Ferrari Challenge and the Pike’s Peak hill climb.