Sharper Image Appoints Direct Marketing Veteran Steven Lightman President and CEO
Monday, 26 March 2007
Sharper Image Corporation (NASDAQ: SHRP) today announced that it has appointed Steven A. Lightman, a veteran marketing executive with more than 25 years of experience in catalog and direct retail management, as President and Chief Executive Officer. He will also join the company’s Board of Directors, which will expand its membership from nine to 10 directors.
Lightman, 50, who most recently served as president of Crosstown Traders, Inc., will join Sharper Image on April 9. He will succeed Jerry W. Levin, who was named chairman of the board and interim CEO of Sharper Image in September 2006. Levin, who has been overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations since September, will remain chairman and will work closely with Lightman to ensure a smooth transition in executive leadership.
Lightman joins Sharper Image from Crosstown Traders, Inc., a direct marketer of apparel, food and gifts. Lightman was instrumental in forming Crosstown Traders in 2002 to purchase the apparel, food and gift catalogs that had been owned by Federated Department Stores and its Fingerhut subsidiary. Crosstown was acquired by Charming Shoppes, Inc. in 2005. Lightman served as President of Crosstown until January 2007.
Before Crosstown, Lightman was executive vice president of Fingerhut Companies, one of the largest mail order businesses in the nation. He was named executive vice president in November 2000. Prior to this, he was with Arizona Mail Order Company and became president in 1998, following its acquisition by Fingerhut. Lightman joined Arizona Mail Order in 1982.
“We are delighted to bring Steven’s extensive direct marketing experience and proven retail management skills to Sharper Image,” said Levin. “Throughout his career Steven has demonstrated an ability to manage complex and multi-channel operations, and has built a proven track record in developing and leveraging direct mail businesses. I am confident that Steven’s strong operational knowledge of the direct-to-consumer industry, coupled with his outstanding leadership skills, will continue to drive positive change at Sharper Image and help us deliver more quality, excitement, and innovation to our customers.”
“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead Sharper Image at this important time in the company’s history,” said Lightman. “The Sharper Image brand is one of the strongest and most recognized brands in retailing worldwide and provides a solid foundation on which to build our business. With the support of Jerry Levin, the Board, and the entire team at Sharper Image, I am confident that we will be able to strengthen our position as a retail industry leader, enhance our value proposition for customers and generate value for our shareholders.”