International Business

Protection plan provider SquareTrade launched a major program with Sam’s Club last week and this week the company named a former private equity executive to lead its North American business.

Raj Kapoor, a former Bain Capital executive, joined SquareTrade as SVP of North America to lead business development, field sales operations and business process teams.

Tampa, Fla. - The Melting Pot Restaurants  plans to expand its footprint in select markets throughout the U.S., and Canada. Domestically, the company is looking to recruit new franchisees in cities such as Anchorage, Alaska; Little Rock, Ark.; Fresno, Calif.; Hartford, Conn.; Des Moines, Iowa; New York City; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Charleston, S.C.; and Portland, Maine, as well as Houston and El Paso, Texas.

Nashville, Tenn. - Cybera Inc., has hired Jeremy Landa as it new senior VP of finance Jeremy Landa. Landa will be part of Cybera’s executive team, responsible for providing strategic financial leadership to support the company’s growth and expansion.

Prior to joining Cybera, Landa served as CFO of Simplex Healthcare. During his career, Landa also oversaw the corporate strategic planning process for Gaylord Entertainment.

New York — Vornado Realty Trust plans to spin off nearly 16.1 million sq. ft. of shopping center assets into a new publicly traded REIT by the end of 2014, leaving the company with a largely office-centric portfolio, according to SNL Real Estate.

The move will simplify Vornado’s investment strategy and enable the company to focus on the ownership of office assets in the Washington, D.C., and New York City regions, including the high-value Manhattan office over retail assets.

MasterCard is in the process of acquiring Pinpoint Pty. Ltd., an Australian provider of loyalty and rewards services to financial institutions across the Asia Pacific region. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014.

Pinpoint was founded in 1984. Headquartered in Sydney, it has a growing footprint across the region into markets such as China, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan and Japan. Its customer base includes financial institutions and merchants.

Foot Locker has named Sheilagh M. Clarke as SVP, general counsel and secretary, effective June 1. She succeeds Gary M. Bahler, who is retiring on that date.

Clarke is currently VP, associate general counsel and assistant secretary of Foot Locker. She joined Foot Locker in 1988, and since that time has held a number of positions in the company's legal department. She is a graduate of Monmouth University and Seton Hall Law School.

Bahler, who joined the company in 1980, has been a SVP since 1998, general counsel since 1993, and secretary since 1990.

Nike has elected Michelle A. Peluso to the company’s board of directors. Peluso is CEO of Gilt, an online shopping destination offering its members top designer labels at up to 60% off retail.

Around the globe, sellers from country A who promote their products as “Made in country A” are quick to point out that country A products are known for their quality, even by buyers from country C.

Most U.S. retailers make their first international foray in contiguous markets such as Canada or Mexico for obvious reasons. However, for those interested in massive growth potential who have a long term perspective a more exotic market beckons.

Purchase, N.Y. – MasterCard has entered into an agreement to acquire Pinpoint Pty. Ltd., an Australian provider of loyalty and rewards services to financial institutions across the Asia Pacific region. This acquisition is expected to close in second quarter 2014.