Home > Press Room > Our Spokespeople
Our Spokespeople
Our Spokespeople
Russ Johnston, EVP of Marketing and Product Planning, Home Entertainment/Business Solutions Division, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Andy Parsons, SVP of Corporate Communications and New Product Planning, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Ted Cardenas, Director of Marketing for the Mobile Business Group,Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Karen Rubin, Director of Product Planning and Marketing, Navigation, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Karl Detken, Director of Product Planning, Pro Audio Division, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Sandra Benedetto, Director of Professional Video Sales and Product Planning, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Dave Bales, Manager of Audio Marketing and Product Planning, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Russ Johnston is executive vice president of marketing and product planning for the home entertainment and business solutions division at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. In this role, Johnston helps Pioneer maintain its leadership by directing the strategic marketing initiatives and working hand-in hand with product development teams from the corporate headquarters in Tokyo. His areas of oversight include Pioneer's home entertainment and business solutions products including, high definition PureVision plasma displays, audio, networking and the next generation optical disc technology, Blu-ray Disc.
Johnston began his career with Pioneer in 1983 as a product specialist for the mobile and home electronics division in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. In 1985, Johnston was promoted to district sales manager and quickly ascended to corporate product trainer in 1986. From 1986 to 1996, Johnston was steadily promoted to various positions within the car electronics division including: assistant brand manager, brand manager, manager of product planning and vice president of product planning. In April of 2003, Johnston made the transition to the home entertainment division, assuming his current role of senior vice president of marketing and product planning.
A graduate of Gannon University in Erie, PA, with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Johnston resides in Huntington Beach, CA with his wife Paula and two children, Corey and Conner. He enjoys golf and soccer, and spending time with his family.
Andy Parsons is SVP of Corporate Communications and New Product Planning at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. In this role, Parsons is responsible for overseeing the Corporate Communications and public relations division as well as the development of innovative product lines for key product categories for the Pioneer and Pioneer Elite brands. Parsons also currently serves as chairman of the U.S. promotion committee for the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), where he maintains the organization's key initiatives on behalf of Pioneer and member companies.
Prior to joining Pioneer, Parsons held technical and senior management positions at Optical Disc Corporation and Discovision Associates. As a 25-year veteran of the optical disc industry, Parsons career began during the early days of Laser disc, and has progressed through the CD, DVD, and now Blu-ray Disc formats.
Ted Cardenas is the Director of Marketing for the Mobile Business Group where he is responsible for promotional activities, advertising and overall brand strategy. Ted’s 13-year career with Pioneer began in 1996 when he became a product specialist, providing training and support for its car and home electronics dealers. In his current role as director of marketing he and his team focuses on the primary goals of educating consumers about Pioneer's mobile entertainment and navigation solutions. while building excitement and demand that directs them to its retail and distribution partners.
For three consecutive years (1997 – 1999) Ted was honored with Pioneer’s Octagon and MVP awards, presented to outstanding employees who exceed sales quotas and are recognized for their excellent customer feedback and service. Since 2007, he has been an active member of the CEA Automotive Electronics Division Board.
Ted has always provided a grass-roots perspective that helps the industry generate sales while providing consumers with product solutions that satisfy consumer needs and demands. Ted is most effective at maximizing the natural synergy that exists between the automotive enthusiast and the mobile electronics industry. Ted conducts day-to-day business with a clear understanding of the importance of learning something from a retailer, distributor or consumer and knows that it is equally important to teach and share in order to help the industry continue to grow from within.
Karen Rubin is director of product planning and marketing for the navigation business at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. Her role in the company is to oversee the growth of its in-car and portable navigation business. She is highly involved in the development, competitive analysis, customer research and marketing, which include advertising and promotions of the category.
Rubin joined Pioneer in 2003 as the brand manager of navigation products where she managed the sale of the popular AVIC-N2 product and developed the AVIC-D1 system. In June 2005, she was the recipient of the coveted Dealerscope Forty-Under-Forty award and soon after, in December 2005, was promoted to the director position. Before joining Pioneer, she was the product manager for Sony's AIBo product. Prior to that, she was the product manager for Hewlett Packard in Japan overseeing their systems software product line.
Her biggest influence and inspiration as a product planner is her father, who she watched bring U.S. aerospace technology to Asia during her childhood years. She likes that element of the unknown possibilities and creating a story of how people live in the future.
Rubin graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1996, with a Bachelor's degree in English. In 1997, she received her Master's in Education from Harvard. She currently resides in Marina Del Rey, California. She enjoys watching movies, attending concerts and is active in physical fitness.
Karl Detken is director of product planning for the Pro Audio Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. Detken defines, plans, launches, and supports Pioneer's DJ product offerings. He takes a hands-on approach to his tasks with constant involvement in industry and trade shows and by maintaining open communication with end-users of Pioneer's DJ equipment. He takes great initiative to define new products globally, working closely with his counterparts around the world and then supporting products with North America specific efforts.
Detken joined Pioneer as music video manager in 1992 and expanded his role over the years.
As a DJ, musician, songwriter, live performer and with experience recording and remixing, Karl has given an intimate understanding of what it takes to market and make exciting products.
Sandra Benedetto is Director of Professional Video Sales and Product Planning for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. With more than twenty years of experience in the interactive video and multimedia industries Benedetto brings a wealth of knowledge to this role.
Prior to joining Pioneer, Ms. Benedetto worked in product planning and title development for the DVD, CD-ROM and LaserDisc technologies. She has previously assisted numerous organizations in creating content and designing delivery systems for public displays, museum exhibitions, corporate training, all levels of education and point-of-sale applications.
A former educator and founding director of a national award-winning technical training program for women, Ms. Benedetto has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences throughout North America & Europe on the topic of DVD technology and creating interactive video content for business, training and education. She is also a member of the advisory board for the DVD Association.
Benedetto graduated from Ramapo College with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, and received a Master's Degree in Educational Communications & Technology from New York University. In addition, Benedetto holds certification in Audio Electronics and Recording Technology from the Institute of Audio Research in New York City.
Dave Bales
David Bales is marketing manager of home audio/video products for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. He is responsible for the promotion, marketing and sales of its Pioneer and Pioneer Elite® audio product line.
David began his career with Pioneer 15 years ago as a product specialist, supporting internal sales staff as well as retailers with training on its product line. In 1998, David was promoted to head the company’s industry-leading audio division as the product manager for Pioneer’s Elite line of audio and video products.
He is an active member of the Consumer Electronics Association. David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University.
