Secaucus, N.J. – Panasonic North America Friday named former Best Buy executive Julie Bauer as the new president of its Panasonic Consumer Electronics sales division.
In the position, she effectively replaces Kitajima Shiro, who returned to Japan at the end of February.
“Julie Bauer comes to Panasonic as a marketing and technology leader with particular expertise in direct marketing, retail and online commerce,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Panasonic North America chairman & CEO. “She has the ability to manage Panasonic’s broad array of consumer products through our distribution channels and I’m confident that she will ensure we achieve our strategic objectives.”
Bauer, a Wisconsin native, has held senior level positions in direct marketing, online strategy, e-commerce and multichannel transformation with Guthy-Renker, Mattel and Best Buy.
She has a B.S. in business and marketing from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA in marketing and business from the University of Saint Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.
“Panasonic has been an innovator in the consumer electronics sector for years and we have the strong brand, unique products and great people to further extend the company’s success,” Bauer said in a statement announcing the move. “I have no doubt that we can take Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company to the next level. To do that, it’s my mission to reach, learn from and engage with consumers wherever they are.”
