AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Continental has appointed Kathryn Blackwell vice president of communications and marketing for its NAFTA Region. Blackwell comes to the company with almost 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing in the transportation sector, with the majority of that time spent working within the automotive industry.

In her new position with Continental, Blackwell is responsible for public relations, employee communications, marketing communications and market research for Continental’s three automotive divisions in North America. She will also be responsible for corporate communications for the Continental Tire and ContiTech Division operations in North America.

Blackwell joins Continental from Union Pacific Railroad, headquartered in Omaha, Neb., where she was assistant vice president, corporate communications. In that position, her responsibilities included developing the strategic direction for all aspects of public relations and employee communications, as well as the development and implementation of a national brand advertising campaign.

While in the automotive industry, Blackwell spent three years with DaimlerChrysler in the public relations and marketing departments. She began her automotive career with Ford Motor Co., where she held a variety of positions within the public affairs department, including a three-year assignment with Ford Europe.

Blackwell received her bachelor of arts degree in English and communications from the University of Michigan and her master of science degree in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

For more information about Continental, go to: http://www.continental-corporation.com