Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced on Feb 3, Tuesday that it has selected a new chief for mobile marketing. This announcement comes at a crucial time ahead of Samsung's anticipated unveiling of the latest version of its flagship Galaxy S smartphone.
Samsung's former head of Russian Operations, Lee Sang-chul, has stepped up to the plate as the company's new head of mobile strategic marketing, according to a Samsung spokesperson. Lee had also previously headed the company's Latin America division.
Kim Seok-pil, who formerly held the post of mobile marketing chief, stepped down allegedly due to health reasons, Reuters reported citing sources familiar with the subject. Kim is expected to return to the company at a later time, albeit at an unclear capacity.
It falls to Lee Sang-chul to ensure the successful marketing launch of the new Galaxy S device. The flagship phone's sales will be crucial to Samsung, following its first annual profit decrease in years. Samsung's earning slid by 64 percent from 2013 in the period of October-December.
Apple may have tied with Samsung in Q4 of 2014 as the world's biggest smartphone vendor, according to market research by Strategy Analytics.
Relatively poor sales of the Galaxy S5, as well as increasing demand for Apple's iPhone 6 may have contributed to Samsung's loss in market share. Analysts agreed that Samsung cannot afford to experience another flagship marketing flop.
Samsung has sent out invites ahead of the Mobile World Congress to be held in Barcelona on March 1, where the new Galaxy S flagship phone is expected to be launched.