Blockbuster names new marketing chief
Timed as chain tries to boost sales with kiosks, videogames
By Danny King -- Video Business, 7/9/2008
JULY 9 | Blockbuster has named restaurant industry veteran Rebecca “Becky” Johnson as its new chief marketing officer one week after it withdrew its bid for struggling electronics giant Circuit City.
Johnson
Johnson had been with Brinker International, whose restaurant brands include Chili’s and Macaroni Grill. The former PepsiCo executive joined Brinker in 2004 and was named its marketing chief two years later. Brinker had $4.38 billion in sales last year, compared with Blockbuster’s $1.57 billion in sales for the year ended Jan. 6.
Johnson joins the largest U.S. movie-rental chain as it tries to boost sales by developing concept stores that are more entertainment oriented and put a greater emphasis on the fast-growing gaming market. The company also is partnering with NCR Corp. to develop kiosks that will allow in-store digital downloads and plans to relaunch its Movielink download service.
“Becky is a seasoned veteran with more than 25 years of experience in retailing and consumer package goods,” said Jim Keyes, Blockbuster’s chief executive officer, in a statement today.
Johnson replaced Curt Andrews, who left the company about six months ago.
Blockbuster last week withdrew its bid, worth as much as $1.32 billion, for No. 2 U.S. electronics retailer Circuit City. In April, Blockbuster went public with a two-month-old offer to buy Circuit City for at least $6 a share, laying out a vision of an $18 billion retailer of entertainment content and the devices it plays on.
