Marketing

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said Friday that it has begun a search for a marketing communications agency partner or partners.

The scope of services, according to the retailer, will include traditional and digital media strategy, planning and execution, as well as collaboration in creative development for its American Eagle Outfitters, Aerie and 77kids brands in North America and internationally.

“Hiring an agency is a natural evolution in the growth of the AEO family of brands,” said Michael Leedy, CMO.

Greensboro, N.C. -- The Fresh Market said Thursday it has promoted Sean Crane to executive VP and COO, reporting directly to Craig Carlock, president and CEO.

Crane was previously senior VP store operations. In his new role, he will lead store operations, merchandising and marketing functions.
 

MONROE, Conn. — Spire, a provider of actionable shopper analytics to leading retailers and manufacturers, has announced hat Mike McMahon has joined the company as president.

McMahon has spent half his career in consumer packaged goods and the other half working in marketing services.

"Mike will now take up a key leadership role at Spire, committed to fine tuning Spire's strategy, managing our growth and exceeding all client and partner expectations,” said Paul Taylor, CEO and founder of Spire.

CHICAGO — Investment research firm Morningstar has named the outgoing CEO of Costco Wholesale as its 2011 CEO of the Year, the company said Wednesday.

Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, who retired on New Year's Day, received the recognition for what Morningstar called his "exemplary corporate stewardship, independent thinking" and creating "lasting value for shareholders."

Philadelphia -- Bailey Brand Consulting, one of the largest branding and design firms in metro Philadelphia, recently completed the corporate re-branding for Liz Claiborne Inc., which will now be called Fifth and Pacific Companies. The new name and corporate logos will be effective on or about May 15.

NEW YORK — While the Liz Claiborne brand will be kept alive thanks to a recent deal with JCPenney, the company behind the name is headed in a new direction. Liz Claiborne Inc. announced it is changing its name to "Fifth & Pacific Companies" to better communicate its strategic focus on growing its three global lifestyle brands (Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Lucky Brand). The change is expected to be effective on or about May 15, 2012 at which time the company will begin trading as Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc. (NYSE: FNP).

FRAMINGHAM, Mass — TJX announced that it has moved some of its executives to new roles to better position the company for future growth. Michael MacMillan will assume leadership of the company’s European division as SVP TJX Europe, moving from his current post as head of The Marmaxx Group (the company’s largest division comprised of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls). Richard Sherr will return to The Marmaxx Group as Senior EVP, having most recently held the post of president HomeGoods.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In what might become an additional indicator as to the power consumers can wield across retail through social media outlets, Wegmans on Wednesday reinstated Alec Baldwin as the company's spokesman.

Wegmans had pulled its Baldwin holiday advertising campaign in response to consumer complaints about Baldwin's behavior on an American Airlines flight Dec. 6, a flight from which he was removed for refusing to turn his cell phone off.

DALLAS — The first CEO of Sam's Club, Ronald Loveless, has been named vice chairman of U.S. Preventive Medicine. Loveless will serve alongside vice chairman Ron Loeppke, who joined the company in 2008 to direct product innovation, research and clinical standards at the company.

Loveless will play a key role in guiding the growth of U.S. Preventive Medicine in the United States, as well as international markets, the company stated.

New York City -- Macy’s Inc. announced a strategic plan on Wednesday to open new stores in select markets as well as to close a series of underperforming units. As part of the plan, five Macy’s department stores will be shuttered in spring 2012 – in Topeka, Kan.; Laurel, Md.; Parma, Ohio; Antioch, Tenn.; and Texas City, Texas. Five new Macy’s stores will open in 2012 and 2013.