March 21, 2011 — Akzo Nobel Automotive and Aerospace Coatings recently appointed Laura Costello marketing director for the Sikkens, Lesonal, U-Tech and Wanda brands in the car and commercial business sectors.
Costello will be responsible for all marketing, branding and promotion of those brands in addition to serving on the Global Marketing Council for Automotive and Aerospace Coatings.
She started her career as a chemist and has more than 18 years of experience in the paint and coatings industry. She most recently served as global marketing manager for the water and waste industries in Akzo Nobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings unit.
“The automotive industry and specifically the collision repair industry are in a stage of dynamic transition,” said AB Ghosh, general manager of Automotive and Aerospace Coatings (A&AC) Americas. “Laura has an impeccable background working with small businesses, large distribution channels and strategic planning. She has successfully led a number of key initiatives for other divisions of Akzo Nobel, and we are confident that she will be instrumental in advancing A&AC products, programs and tools that will be beneficial to our customers.”
Costello was also involved in the National Federation of Independent Businesses and worked with International Comfort, now part of Carrier, which marketed five brands sold through the largest distributor base channel in the industry at the time. She was also senior vice president of strategic market development for Comdata Corp.
