Disney global marketer joins Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard, the computer giant, has poached Disney global marketer Michael Mendenhall to fill its chief marketing post. Mendenhall becomes senior vice-president and chief marketing officer.

Hewlett-Packard (HP), the computer giant, has poached Disney global marketer Michael Mendenhall to fill its chief marketing post. Mendenhall becomes senior vice-president and chief marketing officer.

Mendenhall, who starts next month, will be responsible for all aspects of HP’s corporate marketing operations globally, including brand marketing, customer intelligence and corporate communications.

He will report to HP executive vice-president and chief strategy and technology officer Shane Robison.

The post was previously held by Cathy Lyons, who was promoted in 2005 following a restructure of HP’s marketing and sales operations that saw the computer company’s global workforce reduced by 10% (MW July 21, 2005). She took over from Mike Winkler who left the company as a result of the restructure.

Mendenhall comes to HP from the Walt Disney Company, where he has spent the past 17 years. He directs all marketing and publicity activity for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, a $10bn (£5bn) business in North America, Europe and Asia.

At Disney, he is responsible for global brand image, marketing strategy, planning, publicity, advertising, media, new media/online, interactive TV, strategic alliance marketing, special events and promotions, as well as customer managed activities.