LA VERGNE, Tenn., July 9, 2012 – Robert W. Webb has been promoted to president and chief executive officer at Ingram Entertainment, and Robert A. Geistman has been promoted to executive vice president of sales and marketing.
David B. Ingram remains as chairman of Ingram Entertainment. W. Donnie Daniel, who previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for the company, has been elected vice chairman.
Ingram Entertainment Inc., with 2011 revenues over $549 million, is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, Blu-ray, video game hardware and software, audiobooks and accessories. Among the company’s 10,000 accounts are big retail chains like Kroger, Safeway and Toys R Us.
“Webb and Geistman have demonstrated strong leadership in our company and within our industry. Both promotions are part of our long-term succession plan to retain and cultivate top talent,” said Ingram. “Although I will continue to be involved with Ingram Entertainment, I will depend on these two leaders to manage the company.”
Webb most recently held the position of executive vice president, purchasing and operations. He joined Ingram in 1987 as product manager. In 1988, he was promoted to director of purchasing and a year later to vice president of purchasing. When Ingram acquired Commtron Corp. in 1992, Webb assumed the position of vice president of field operations, where he was responsible for the management of branch sales and operations. In 1994, Webb became senior vice president of purchasing and operations.
A board member of the National Association of Video Distributors, Webb currently serves as president of that organization. Webb also serves as a director of DBI Beverage Inc., an Ingram Entertainment sister company. He graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in psychology and received his MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management.
Geistman joined Ingram Entertainment Inc. as part of Ingram’s acquisition of Commtron in 1992. At Ingram Entertainment he has held positions of increasing responsibility in the sales and marketing areas, and since January 2006 has served as its senior vice president, sales and marketing.
In 2001 Geistman joined the board of the Video Software Dealers Association (now the Entertainment Merchants Association). He was elected its chairman in 2004 and remains in that position today. Geistman holds a B.A. from the State University of New York.
History of Ingram Entertainment
Ingram Entertainment is headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. It is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVD and Blu-ray software, video games and audiobooks. Video specialty stores, electronics and video game stores, Internet retailers, drugstores and supermarkets comprise the bulk of its customer base. The grocery and drug division alone services over 35,000 storefronts.
Ingram Entertainment operates out of six sales and seven new release shipping facilities throughout the United States, four of which serve as national distribution centers. For over 99% of the continental United States, Ingram Entertainment products reach customers within two shipping days. The company also provides support services, including direct-to-consumer fulfillment for Internet retailers and category management services for retail partners.
Originally known as Ingram Video Inc., Ingram Entertainment was established in 1984 as part of Nashville’s Ingram Industries Inc. In 1996, Ingram Entertainment Inc. and Ingram Industries Inc. separated as part of a corporate reorganization, with David Ingram becoming Ingram Entertainment Inc.’s controlling shareholder.
More information may be found at www.ingramentertainment.com.
CONTACT: Sue Atkinson
satkinson@atkinsonpr.com
