Simmons hires Jeff Willard as EVP of marketing

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 25, 2013

Jeff Willard

ATLANTA — Bedding major Simmons has named Jeff Willard executive vice president of marketing. He reports to Simmons President Tony Smith and is responsible for overseeing the company's consumer marketing functions in the United States and Canada.

The post had been vacant for some time.
With nearly 20 years of experience in global consumer marketing, Willard has worked with more than 40 brands in a range of industries.

"Jeff has demonstrated tremendous success in driving growth through consumer-focused innovation, compelling marketing programs and creative advertising executions," said Smith. "I am confident that his deep consumer marketing experience will propel our Beautyrest brand transformation and position Simmons for continued growth in the years to come."

Willard most recently was at consumer electronics giant Harman International, where he was chief marketing officer with oversight for marketing for brands including JBL, Harman Kardon, Infinity and Mark Levinson. At Harman, he drove brand reinvention for the company's largest brands, JBL and Harman Kardon, enlisting help from musicians including Paul McCartney, Tim McGraw and Jennifer Lopez.

Prior to Harman, Willard was a marketing executive at companies including Coleman, Helen of Troy, Lexmark and Spectrum Brands.

"I am thrilled to join the Simmons team during such an exciting time in the company's transformation," said Willard. "As a marketer, I believe the Beautyrest brand is one of the greatest names in bedding, and I am excited to work with a team that will take this brand to the next level."