Movado makes key digital and SM executive appointments

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Mar 9, 2018

Movado has appointed two executives to lead digital and social media, and also form a new Digital Center of Excellence. Behzad Soltani is new chief digital officer and Michelle Barna-Stern is the new VP of social media.

Soltani and Barna-Stern together will drive Movado's digital strategy and increase connections with the consumer. They will also be tasked with expanding the company's overall digital footprint.

Soltani will create the Digital Center of Excellence which will focus on innovative technologies and consumer-facing initiatives. Barna-Stern will create digital campaigns that aim to be authentic and connect with consumers in strategic markets.

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Soltani was most recently a VP/GM at Boxed. He also held the same title at Keurig where he was credited with improving the overall e-commerce consumer experience. He has held senior leadership positions with Staples and also FedEx Office. He holds a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from Boston University.

Barna-Stern was most recently VP of Social Marketing at 360i where she led social strategy, social media crisis communication, content creation, and communities for consumer product brands. Clients whose campaigns she ran included Oreo, Nestle, Pernod Ricard and Subway.

Prior to 360i, she worked in social media and content management for agencies including Blue State Digital, Deep Focus, and Venda. Barna-Stern holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Miami where she studied PR, psychology, marketing and art history.

Efraim Grinberg, chairman and CEO of Movado Group, Inc. said, “Connecting with our consumers digitally is one of our top priorities," continuing, "We are committed to adding the senior talent needed to elevate our digital capabilities and social connections."

Movado brands include Movado, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture, Lacoste, and Rebecca Minkoff.

Soltani will report directly to Movado's CEO. Barna-Stern will report to the Chief Marketing Officer, Mary Leach. Both appointments are effective immediately.