Corporate Governance

Fremont, Calif. -- Men’s Wearhouse announced Wednesday that it has fired its founder and executive chairman George Zimmer; no reason was given for the sudden move.

NEW YORK — The Estée Lauder Companies has appointed Michael O’Hare as the company’s EVP, global human resources. O’Hare will report jointly to executive chair William P. Lauder and president and CEO Fabrizio Freda.

Men’s Wearhouse said it terminated company founder and executive chairman George Zimmer on Wednesday and postponed its annual meeting.

No explanation was offered for Zimmer’s termination, but the company indicated the board of directors, "expects to discuss with Mr. Zimmer the extent, if any, and terms of his ongoing relationship with the company."

Washington, D.C. – The Retail Industry Leaders Association elected Ron Boire, president of Sears and Kmart, to its board of directors, during its semi-annual meeting in Washington, D.C. 

The board also re-elected Home Depot chair and CEO Francis Blake, 7-Eleven president and CEO Joseph DePinto, Petco CEO James Myers and J.C. Penney CEO Myron Ullman.

NORWOOD, Mass. — Hot Wheels has entered into a licensing agreement with Toy State, a leading manufacturer of licensed and highly stylized lights-and-sound toy vehicles. 

The agreement, which runs through 2016, gives Toy State the green light to design and build a new line of high-octane custom versions of Hot Wheels remote-controlled and lights-and-sound toys. 

NEW YORK — Leading U.S. toymaker Jakks Pacific has expanded its licensing agreement with Televisa, the largest media company in the Spanish-speaking world, and Univision Communications Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic Americans, for the “El Chavo” brand. 

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is launching its latest ad campaign in the Big Apple. Called the Everyday Effect, the campaign is the largest consumer event in the company's 175 year history and will involve P&G representatives showing New Yorkers why they should consume P&G products.

The company will demonstrate how its brands make “everyday life better” and broadcast results of these demos through on-the-ground reports, social media updates and content featured across the company’s website and social media pages. 

FREEPORT, Maine — Outdoor gear and apparel multichannel merchant L.L.Bean is revving up its Bootmobile and hitting the road as part of the company’s 2013 Outdoor Discovery Tour, which encourages people to enjoy the outdoors.  

Art suppliers and writing instrument supplier Faber-Castell USA named Delanie West as VP of the company’s Creativity Center.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Chicago-based solar developer SoCore Energy plan to build more than 200 new solar installations at Walgreens stores throughout California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

This latest expansion will bring the number of completed solar installations at Walgreens stores to more than 350, making the company the leading retailer in number of solar powered stores.