KB Home (NYSE: KBH) on Thursday named Amit Desai senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
He will have overall responsibility for the company’s marketing strategy, as well as overseeing and managing all marketing initiatives to drive awareness and traffic, and strengthen the brand. Desai is responsible for all marketing functions, including media, advertising, digital, public relations and promotions.
“Amit is a tremendous addition to our executive team. We believe his leadership and expertise are invaluable as we continue to pursue our vision to be the most customer-obsessed home builder in the world,” said Jeffrey Mezger, KB Home’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “As a leading-edge marketer, Amit will help us elevate the KB Home brand and clearly demonstrate how our key value proposition of innovative design, personalization, affordability and partnership differentiates us in the home building industry.”
Desai brings more than 25 years of business and marketing experience to KB Home. Previously, he served as executive VP, business & marketing strategy, direct to consumer and global franchise management for DC, a division of Warner Bros. There, he led the strategic planning, management and marketing of DC’s multibillion-dollar super hero brand and franchises globally. His accomplishments included maximizing the value of a portfolio of characters, including cultural icons Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, spearheading DC’s new global brand identity and positioning, and launching the groundbreaking DC Universe digital subscription service. He also led Warner Bros. to become the top studio in family and kids home entertainment content. Previously, Desai was responsible for brand management and marketing synergy for feature films at The Walt Disney Company, as well as being integral to marketing teams at Nestle and American Express.
Desai earned a B.A. in economics and history from the University of California, Berkeley. He also holds an M.B.A. in marketing from Columbia Business School.
