DIAMOND BAR, Calif. – Industry veteran Ira Gabriel has joined the SEMA executive team as VP of marketing. The former publisher of Hot Rod Magazine will work from SEMA’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, Calif., where he will oversee strategic marketing initiatives for programs such as the SEMA Garage, SEMA Data Co-op and the SEMA Show.
“We’re fortunate to have Ira join the SEMA staff,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Ira brings with him a tremendous amount of industry knowledge, experience, passion and leadership. SEMA is delivering new and valuable benefits to the industry, and Ira is well-positioned to make certain these programs become value received by our members.”
Gabriel began his career more than 25 years ago on the editorial team of Sport Magazine in New York. Following the purchase of Sport Magazine by Petersen Publishing, Gabriel relocated to the Petersen headquarters in Los Angeles and later entered marketing and sales for the company’s corporate and automotive divisions. In 2001, he became publisher of Hot Rod Magazine, only the ninth publisher in the brand’s 58-year history. Following the successful re-launch of Hot Rod Magazine, Gabriel’s leadership and innovation was called upon to oversee the Motor Trend Automotive Group, which comprised Motor Trend, Automobile Magazine, Truck Trend and Motor Trend Classic print titles, Web initiatives, 22 national automotive car shows, mobile platforms and branded licensed properties.
Most recently, Gabriel served as VP, executive director of the Motor Trend Certified Vehicle Service Program, an Atlanta, Ga.-based division operating under license from Motor Trend (parent company Source Interlink Media, LLC).
