PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616
Fax: (615) 662-1636
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GUITAR CENTER AND MUSICIAN’S FRIEND ANNOUNCE
EXEC CHANGES
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, October 22, 2008 —
The nation’s largest retailer of musical instruments, Guitar Center,
Inc., announces several changes in its executive management team, effective
immediately.
A veteran of the music industry with over 30 years of
experience, Gene Joly has been promoted to Executive Vice-President
of Stores, with responsibility for sales in the chain’s 214 locations.
Joly is returning to the retail division of the company after spending
three successful years in the Medford, Oregon-based direct-response
division of the company, where he most recently served as EVP/General
Merchandising Manager. Prior to his duties at Guitar Center, Joly’s
extensive industry experience included executive positions at Tascam,
Thoroughbred Music and E.U. Wurlitzer Music in Boston.
He will report to Greg Trojan, President and COO of Guitar
Center, Inc. who stated, “We are thrilled to have a dynamic executive
of Gene’s caliber to head up our store efforts, and we are confident
his leadership will result in positive changes for our customers and
our store associates”.
Guitar Center also promoted another 30-year-plus industry
veteran, Keith Brawley, to the position of Vice President of Merchandising
and Creative at the company’s direct-response division, Musician’s
Friend, where he will oversee both the Purchasing and Creative teams
producing the company’s catalog and Internet efforts. For the
past five years, Brawley has served as Vice President of Merchandising
for the company’s Guitar & Amplifier division. Prior to joining
Guitar Center, Brawley had extensive experience with Brawley Guitars,
Fender Musical Instruments, Washburn International, Sunn Musical Equipment
and independent retailer World Music in southern California.
Brawley will report to Craig Johnson, President and COO
of Musician’s Friend, who said, “Keith brings a world of
knowledge to the company. I look forward to his leadership in guiding
our merchandising and creative vision to help me ensure that we are
providing the best multi-channel merchandise and value in the industry.”
Photo Files: GeneJoly.JPG,
KeithBrawley.JPG
About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers,
percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment.
Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 200 Guitar
Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division
operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale
and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and
students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical
instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary,
Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com.
More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's
Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.
The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of
Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of
the respective companies with which they are associated.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Clyne, Clyne Media, Inc., at (615) 662-1616