Sony Australia is set to farewell its general manager of consumer marketing, Nicolas Barendson, after 18 months in the role. Barendson is leaving Sony Australia to join the US subsidiary of the Japanese company in a new role; his last day with the Australian team is today.

Martin McManus, current managing director and former country manager of Sony New Zealand will be replacing Barendson in the general manager of consumer marketing role.

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Barendson first joined Sony Australia in November 2011 from Sony Europe, where he held a number of positions across Europe and in the UK and Ireland. In his consumer marketing role, he was charged with looking after “all consumer product marketing divisions, brand marketing and the growing network service and content area of the company’s business”.

In all, the French now has more than 17 years of experience across Sony worldwide.

In his time at Sony Australia, Barendson oversaw a number of high profile launches for the brand, including the ultra high-end ultra high-definition ‘4K’ TV; a drive into the Near Field Communication (NFC) space that saw the release of over 50 connected accessories — all united under the “One Touch” NFC branding — and a recent consumer marketing campaign that marked the first Australian-made TV creative for Sony Australia under the tagline, “Like nothing you’ve ever experienced”.

Barendson’s departure follows the high profile resignation of the former managing director of Sony Australia and New Zealand, Carl Rose, who left Sony in June after 26 years at the company and six as managing director.

Outgoing general manager of consumer marketing Nicolas Barendson, with former managing director of Sony Australia, Carl Rose.