By Matthew Henry
SYDNEY: Samsung Electronics Australia today announced a raft of changes to its marketing team including the creation of new general manager role in CE marketing and a national marketing manager in IT.
Mark Beard will now lead the Samsung audio visual marketing team as general manager – audio visual, after being employed as a general manager at Samsung for the past eight years.
Beard joined the company as corporate marketing GM, and then made his mark in whitegoods marketing.
Mark Leathan will return to Samsung as general manager – whitegoods marketing, after working as the business unit manager for rangehood maker Robinhood for the last two years.
Leathan was formerly Samsung’s local national marketing manager of AV in 2004, and has been in the electronics industry for 20 years with brands including Sharp and Philips.
“Over the past few years, Samsung has enjoyed tremendous growth and there is now a need for two dedicated general managers in CE,” said the company in a statement this afternoon.
“For the first time, there will be a dedicated AV general manager of marketing and Mark Leathan will soon head up the whitegoods marketing team as general manager.
“Mark Beard has over 20 years experience in marketing management. Appointed into the new position on 1 May, he is now responsible for all AV marketing campaigns and will work closely with the marketing and sales teams.”
Evan Manolis has joined Samsung from Hitachi, and will become the new Samsung product manager for colour television, taking over from Brad Wright who moved to Samsung’s Hong Kong office. Prior to working with Hitachi, Manolis was with Panasonic.
Manolis will report to senior product manager for CTV, Mark Powderley, and his role will incorporate planning and implementation of above the line and below the line marketing campaigns as well as working closely with the sales team.
In the information technology marketing department, Anthony Troope has been appointed to a redefined role as Samsung national marketing manager – IT Division. Troope will be responsible for all print solutions marketing campaigns.
According to Samsung, Troope has had experience in both B2B sales and channel management and will be working closely with channel and end customers to ensure that Samsung delivers an appealing product and service offering to both stakeholders.
Gavin Cross also recently joined Samsung as the national account manager for Optus in the telecommunications marketing team. Prior to joining Samsung, Cross was employed by Sagem Australasia in a similar role.