Jennifer “J.J.” Schaidler, a long-time key Best Buy music executive, has been named executive VP of sales at Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s sales division.
For the last two years, Schaidler, who reports to Sony BMG Music Entertainment president global digital business and U.S. Sales Thomas Hesse, was VP of music, MP3 and mobile electronics for the retail chain.
Schaidler will oversee the combined physical and digital sales for the Sony BMG division. Her appointment fills a void left by the departure of Jordan Katz, who was president of U.S. physical sales and enhances Hesse’s goal of more closely aligning its physical and digital business. Katz left the company in January of this year, and since then executive VP of operations and finance Dennis Kooker has been overseeing those responsibilities.
“Schaidler will act as the company’s chief liaison to the physical and digital retail communities, and work closely with the company’s labels to develop fully integrated sales initiatives for both the traditional retail environment, as well as for online and mobile platforms,” the company said in a statement.
“Jennifer understands retail better than just about anyone else in the business, and her extensive knowledge and experience will be a strong asset for Sony BMG,” Hesse said in a statement.
Schaidler joined Best Buy in 1991 as VP of brand advertising and communication. Along the way, she was VP/GM of Best Buy’s record and video label Redline Entertainment, VP of music, and VP of cellular/Best Buy Mobile. Schaidler served on the NARM board since 2005.
