Minneapolis – Best
Buy’s chief merchandising officer Barry Judge is leaving the company.
His departure was
unrelated to last month’s resignation of CEO Brian Dunn, a company spokesman
said.
“Barry is leaving
the company to explore the next chapter in his career, while Best Buy is taking
advantage of the opportunity to leverage the skills and experiences of
additional senior leaders,” spokesman Greg Hitt said in a statement. “We wish
Barry well in whatever the future brings his way.”
Judge’s exit
follows the appointment in March of former Starbucks executive Stephen Gillett
as president of Best Buy’s digital and global business services, whose
responsibilities include digital marketing and entertainment. It is believed
that Judge’s former duties will now fall under Gillett’s scope.
Judge joined Best
Buy in 1999 and was promoted from marketing senior VP to executive VP and chief merchandising
officer in 2008. Under his watch the retailer aired its first
Super Bowl spots, and integrated mobile apps, social networks and other digital
marketing into the company’s print and TV efforts.
In a tweet dated today,
Judge wrote, “I am leaving. Optimistic about BBY, like recent announcements,
Stephen Gillett going to be great. Rt time for new chapter for me.”
