About Us

Don Southerton, CEO and Founder

Don Southerton has a long history offering Korean business strategy and consulting services to firms across the globe. This includes long-term support for many major Korean groups and international brands as well as governments agencies. He is seen as the “go-to” expert on all Korean business matters.

Training and Mentoring

We offer Team Workshops, Korea 101 one on one, and Executive Coaching program. Call, Text, Message or EM Today to Register.

Working with the Korean Business Culture

Developing and Maintaining Korean Business Relations

Do’s and Don’ts for Korea Business

Korean Decision-making and Negotiations

Managing Expectations

Legal Agreements–Subject to Change and Revision

What to expect in 2024-2025

Don is truly “The Hyundai Whisperer” a trusted mentor to many in our industry

You’re training and follow-up insights have saved my career (and a few others) as we could not have survived the culture clash.

Don was our secret weapon.

The expertise and wisdom that Don brings to the discussion is insightful and practical. Cross-cultural business differences can be very challenging to overcome, and it takes both a knowledge of business practices and how complex cultural uniqueness interweaves into those practices to be successful.

No one knows more about how the global business community needs to understand Korea than Don.

Don is the guru; the guy CEOs want to have their voice heard with…

And very recently … you really are a Hyundai Whisperer

Media

Southerton has been a contributor to The Economist, Automotive News, the BBC, CNN Fortune, Korea Times, Yonhap, tbs eFM, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. And, most recently in CNBC and as frequent contributor to Branding in Asia.

A prolific author, his recent publications are Korea 101: The Book (2023, and Hyundai Way: Hyundai Speed is now in its 3rd Edition.

Southerton has a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Colorado with post-grad studies at UC San Diego, USC, and UCLA. Southerton is currently enrolled in the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law with an emphasis on Technology. IP, IR, and Government Affairs.

A former United States Military Academy coach, Don is a lifetime martial artist and resides in Golden, Colorado.

A Few of Our Engagements

Automotive

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai Capital America

Hyundai Capital Canada

Genesis Motors America

Hyundai Translead

Hyundai GLOVIS

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Montgomery

Hyundai  AutoEever (HISA)

Hyundai America Technical Center 

Hyundai- Kia Design Center America

Kia Motors America (Now, Kia America)

Kia Motors DC—Government Affairs

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

MOBIS Parts America

MOBIS Korea and Global

MOBIS UK 

AMCI 

Marketing and Media

Innocean

Initiative Media (IPG)

WPP

Omnicom

Publicis

Mobility, Autonomous

Hancom

Luminar

Energy

Grinergy

NREL

Golf 

Golfsmith

Golfzon

Entertainment

Mohegan Sun/ Inspire Korea

Six Flags

Filmmaster (Seoul Winter Olympics 2018)

Food 

Taco Bell Korea

Smashburger

Habit Burger

Mad for Garlic

SPC Group

KOTRA

KOTRA NYC

KOTRA LA

KOTRA Long Beach

Smart City

Songdo IBD (Now Songdo International City 2004-2024)

LG Group

Mobile Division

LG North America Legal

SK Group

Solidigm

Bristol Myers Squibb – SK Biotech M&A

Manufacturing

Lucas Milhaupt

Legal

Alston & Bird LLP

BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP

Susman Godfrey LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP

ROBINS, KAPLAN, MILLER & CIRESI L.L.P.

Perkins Coie LLP

Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP

For a complimentay consultation or question please contact : Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

Call or Text 310-866-3777