Sears loses lead marketer to HP

Sears Holding's SVP of marketing, Richard Gerstein, resigned from his post last week to become SVP of strategy and worldwide marketing for the personal systems group at HP.

Gerstein's last day at Sears will be May 7. He will officially take his new post in mid-May, according to an HP release.

Gerstein will succeed Satjiv Chahil, who retired earlier this year. HP maintains a consulting relationship with Chahil, the company release said.

When contacted, Kim Freely, director of communications for Sears Holdings, said Gerstein is "leaving for personal reasons."

The retailer said it is actively searching for a replacement. Scott Freidheim, EVP of operating and support business units for Sears Holdings will help fill the role in the interim.

Gerstein joined the marketer in July 2007 as the CMO for its Sears, Roebuck and Co. unit. A year later, he was promoted to CMO of Sears Holdings when Maureen McGuire resigned the CMO post. Mark Schneider remains the CMO of Kmart.

Sears Holdings Corp. operates 3,900 retail stores in the US and Canada. Kmart and Sears Holdings merged in March 2005.