- Elena Malykhina

Samsung Electronics America today (Friday) named Ralph Santana svp and chief marketing officer, a newly created post.

Santana hails from PepsiCo, where he spent 16 years in various domestic and international marketing positions. Most recently, he served as vp of marketing for the Pepsi brand.

The consumer electronics maker said Santana will oversee Samsung's North America marketing, including branding, digital, market intelligence and product innovation.

Samsung Electronics' ad spending has dropped over the past two years. The company spent $183 million on U.S. measured media in 2009, and $189 million in 2008, excluding online, per the Nielsen Co.