Specialised Devices & Apps Team Sets Up For Growth

Microsoft Australia/New Zealand’s Specialised Devices & Applications (SDA) Team Sets Up For Growth

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Microsoft’s Specialised Devices & Applications (SDA) group, responsible for the retail channel of the company’s keyboards, mice, webcams and Office for Mac software, has announced a raft of significant appointments as it moves into the 2009 financial year.

Led by the newly promoted Scott Jackson, who takes on the role of ANZ Group Marketing Manager, the team includes seasoned product and marketing experts from across Australia and New Zealand who will work with Microsoft Corporation to deliver hardware and software to consumers through retail.

With over 15 years experience in a variety of sales and marketing roles, Jackson brings a unique blend of business acumen, financial detail and marketing savvy to the team. Jackson was previously ANZ Product Marketing Manager for Mouse and Keyboard. He has a strong history in consumer technology with over a decade of experience in various sales and marketing roles at Canon Australia.

“Scott’s growth over the two years he’s been with Microsoft has been impressive and I’m proud to now have him on our leadership team,” commented David McLean, Regional Director of the Entertainment & Devices Division (EDD) for ANZ. “He has played a significant role in putting SDA into a great position as we execute our ‘go to market’ strategy throughout this financial year with strong consumer marketing, retail activity and channel relationships to drive presence and market share across our range.”
Several recent appointments to impact the SDA business include:

• Julia Nicholls – Julia has recently accepted the role of Product Marketing Manager for Mouse and Keyboards across ANZ. Previously she was responsible for guiding Microsoft’s Webcam and Headset business across ANZ, as well as being the driving force behind the success of Office for Mac business over the last two years including the retail and consumer launch of Office 2008 for Mac earlier this year. Julia has over eight years of brand management experience and has been with Microsoft since 2004.

• Danica Aitken – Having considerably raised the profile of SDA in New Zealand as the in-country Product Marketing Manager over the past 12 months, Danica has made the move across the Tasman to join the team in Sydney where she will head up Internet Communications Hardware and Office for Mac for ANZ. Danica’s broad marketing and retail engagement experience spanning eight years includes roles with Vodafone New Zealand and Telecom New Zealand.

• Danielle Gennaoui - Danielle is charged with growing the SDA and wider EDD business in the breadth space through independent retailers and the reseller channel via SDA’s distribution partners. Most recently employed at Nokia Australia managing core telecommunications retail partners and distributor relationships, Danielle was also part of the UK team involved in the global launch of Windows Mobile. She has a decade of experience in sales and marketing.

“With a great product line-up that is set to expand in the coming months and consumers moving quickly towards laptops and mobile computing, our SDA team is set to continue its great work with stakeholders throughout the channel with maximum impact,” McLean commented.

The senior SDA team’s sales efforts continue to be led by EDD Sales Director Sean Davis and supported by an experienced team of sales, marketing and channel professionals.

ENDS

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