Hyundai drops Richards Group as ad agency

Hyundai Motor America has ended a five-year relationship with its ad agency, the Richards Group.

Hyundai will hold a review for another agency but says the Richards Group, based in Dallas, will not participate in the review.

Hyundai recently hired Joel Ewanick as its vice president of marketing. Ewanick, 46, was director of brand planning for the Richards Group.

"Richards has been very dedicated to our business, and we all greatly appreciate their efforts and accomplishments," Ewanick said in a statement. "However, our companies have decided to go separate paths."