Logitech hires former Apple exec

Logitech International, a maker of computer peripherals, named Guerrino De Luca, formerly the top marketing executive at Apple Computer Inc., as its president and chief executive officer.

De Luca, 45, will replace Daniel Borel as CEO. Borel will continue in his current role as chairman of the company's board of directors.

De Luca has 20 years' experience in the computing industry covering a wide range of business functions such as product strategy, consumer marketing and management. Most recently, he was executive vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple.

"I spent nine years there and I had a lot of fun there," De Luca said in an interview. "It was the right time to move on."

De Luca left Apple last September, shortly after co-founder Steve Jobs was named interim CEO.

De Luca said Logitech -- mostly known for its computer pointing devices such as mice and trackballs -- has a great opportunity for growth and "fantastic technology assets."

"This is not a turnaround situation, this is not a restructuring, the company is profitable," De Luca said, adding that Logitech wanted a leader with marketing, branding experience and international management experience as it seeks to dominate the user interface market.

Before becoming Apple's lead marketing executive, he was the president of Apple's software business, Claris Corp. Under De Luca's leadership, Claris showed significant growth and posted consecutive profits. De Luca was also the vice president of business markets at Apple in Europe. He started his career at Ing C Olivetti & C SpA.

Logitech's operational headquarters are in Fremont, Calif.

On Tuesday, its American Depositary Receipts traded in the United States rose on Nasdaq, jumping $1.875 to $16.75. The company also has regional headquarters in Romanel, Switzerland and Taiwan.