By Matthew Henry
SYDNEY: Two months after Toshiba Information Systems Division (ISD) took control of the Toshiba AV account, the company has named the product marketing and sales team that will spearhead its move into the CE channel with LCD TV and DVD hardware products.
Toshiba ISD, which is a subsidiary of Toshiba Japan, has traditionally distributed Toshiba’s notebook computers has taken on LCD, portable audio, DVD and HD-DVD hardware as well as the upcoming SED TV – the arrival of which is now in doubt again after further delays announced earlier this week.
The company took distribution of the AV products account from Castel Electronics at the beginning of April.
“As Toshiba is well on its way to becoming leaders in home entertainment technology through the true convergence of IT and AV, it was important to select a sales and marketing team with solid experience and a winning record,” said Toshiba ISD general manager, Mark Whittard.
“Our AV products are top of the range with stand-out technologies and our new team members reflect these qualities.”
As reported by Current.com.au earlier this week, former DGTEC general manager sales and marketing, Steve Rindfleisch, will lead the new Toshiba Australia team, which is comprised of internal appointments and staff poached from Toshiba ISD’s CE channel competitors. Formerly with Sharp, Samsung, Sony and Philips, Sanjay Bhartiya has been appointed product manager for Toshiba’s LCD TV range including the Regza brand.
Francois Spina, an internal appointment, is the new product manager for DVD at Toshiba, moving from the company’s technical specialist and ProCare training divisions.
According to Toshiba ISD, Spina has a strong IT experience in DVD and HD-DVD format and a demonstrated knowledge of AV technology. Rounding out the team, new sales representatives have been appointed in each state, dedicated national telesales personnel, an AV service manager, service personnel, and AV technical support.
“All new appointments will make a valuable contribution to the growth of Toshiba’s AV business in Australia, particularly to escalate the company’s roll-out of high definition products and strategies,” said Whittard.