Former Best Buy exec to head new media strategy at Guitar Center

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Guitar Center is trying out a new communications strategy and media policy and has appointed Christopher Ian Bennett as the company's first-ever VP of communications and corporate affairs.



In his previous role, Bennett led Best Buy Canada's corporate communications department under Mike Pratt, who is Guitar Center's new CEO.



In his new role, Bennett will be responsible for the overall internal and external communications strategy of the entire GC organization and affiliated brands, and will be charged with driving a clear and singular message. Working closely with GC's current PR agency partners, Clyne Media and Filter Creative, Bennett will be the new spokesperson for the organization and will play a more active role in communicating directly with the media.



"The Guitar Center story is an extraordinary one that fuses an iconic success history in retail with an exciting vision for its future leading the MI industry. We have a great opportunity in front of us to work more closely with the press through a more transparent and open level of communication with them," said Bennett.



He is a graduate of a Performing Arts School in Canada.



Guitar Center's retail store subsidiary currently operates 250 Guitar Center stores across the U.S.