NEW YORK--Julie Hamp has been appointed chief communications officer at Toyota, succeeding Jim Wiseman, who is retiring after 23 years with the automotaker. 

Hamp joins Toyota after announcing her departure from PepsiCo earlier this year. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Hamp held several senior positions in General Motors, overseeing marketing communications and public relations for the Americas and EMEA.

Hamp will be responsible for coordinating Toyota’s public relations efforts in the region while leading the company’s cross-affiliate communications team across Toyota Motor North America (TMA), Toyota Motor Sales USA (TMS) and Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing.

She will report to Jim Lentz, president and CEO of TMS and senior vice president of TMA, and will be based at Toyota’s campus in Torrance, California.

“Julie is a proven communications leader with a wealth of knowledge and experience both inside and outside the automotive industry,” said Lentz. “We are thrilled to have her leading our communications and public relations efforts to enhance and promote Toyota as we continue to gain momentum in the marketplace.”