Marketing

PHILADELPHIA — Sparks, a maker of custom retail fixtures, has appointed two new executives to their business development team.  Ilicia Manger and Jeffery Buttson bring a combined total of 35 years of retail fixture industry experience to the Sparks executive team.

TORONTO — Target Canada has announced its first entertainment sponsorship with three-time Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Michael Bublé. The retailer will sell an exclusive deluxe edition of Bublé's highly anticipated sixth studio album, "To Be Loved."  The exclusive version of the album, featuring three bonus tracks, will hit stores April 22 and continue to be available as Target stores open across Canada throughout 2013.

Phoenix -- Leslie’s Poolmart will celebrate the grand opening of 13 new locations throughout the United States on March 15.

In total, Leslie's plans to open 48 stores this year, between March and May. With these new stores and its recent acquisition of 24 Warehouse Pool Supply stores in the Houston area, Leslie's will bring its total store count to more than 800 stores nationwide.

Atlanta -- Aaron's, a lease-to-own, announced the recent opening of a combined 32 new company-operated and franchised stores in 17 different states and two Canadian provinces.

The announcement follows a strong growth year for the company in 2012, which included the opening of its 2,000th store in the Bronx in September.

Houston -- Brixmor Property Group said that Petco will open a new 12,150-sq.-ft. store at Merchants Park, in Houston.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Merchants Park.

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods will debut its Field & Stream concept this fall, opening the first store in Cranberry Township, Pa.

Named for the iconic brand that for more than 140 years has been synonymous with outdoor experiences, the Field & Stream store will carry outdoor equipment, accessories and services in hunting, fishing, archery, camping and more, and provide an array of related in-store services.

Former Coach CFO Michael Devine has joined the board of rapidly growing discount retailer Five Below.

Devine served as CFO at Coach from 2001 to 2011. He will replace Five Below board member Howard Ross who resigned and serve as chair of the retailer’s audit committee.

Devine currently serves on the boards of Express, Deckers, Talbot's, and Sur La Table, and previously served on the board of NutriSystems.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Fresh Market, a high growth specialty retailer of high quality food products, has announced the resignation of Randy Kelley as SVP real estate and development who will leave the company to pursue a new business opportunity. Kelley will remain with the company through early spring.

DALLAS — Kimberly-Clark has announced that Clive Sirkin has been named vice president and chief marketing officer, reporting to Tony Palmer, president of global brands and innovation.

Sirkin joined K-C in 2007 and has held a number of marketing leadership positions.

"Since joining K-C, Clive has been instrumental in building strong, healthy brands and businesses around the world," Palmer said. "As CMO, Clive will continue the ongoing transformation of our marketing function as a core driver of our growth agenda."

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Post-it brand from 3M announces the launch of Post-it Big Pads, the company announced this weekend at the SXSW 2013 trade show.