Interactions taps former Acosta exec as VP of operations

Interactions, a company that organizes event marketing and product demonstrations for retailers and brands, has appointed Jerry Slater as VP of operations.



Slater will lead Elite Marketing Interactions, the company’s in-house group dedicated exclusively to Meijer, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 203 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. In his new role, Slater is responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations and will be based in the Grand Rapids office.



Slater joins Interactions with more than 28 years of extensive grocery industry experience. Prior to joining Interactions, he spent 14 years at Acosta sales and marketing where he most recently served as national client services director, responsible for managing six key clients within the Fresh Foods Division, including Sabra Dipping Company, Growth Ventures / Frito-Lay, Butterball, Heinz Deli, Michael Foods and GoodHeart.



During his time at Acosta, Slater also served as the fresh foods regional director for the Midwest, managing fresh food teams in 13 states. Throughout his career, Slater held executive-level positions for various grocery retailers and suppliers including D&W Food Centers, Family Foods and Roundy’s. Slater also served on the board of directors of the International Dairy, Deli, and Bakery Association for two consecutive three-year terms.



“Jerry is a proven leader and innovator in the grocery industry and his extensive operational knowledge will help us in our ongoing mission to deliver first-class product interactions and special event marketing services to Meijer,” said Jeff Engel, SVP of retail for Interactions. “Adding Jerry to the leadership team for Elite Marketing Interactions demonstrates our commitment to contribute to the success of our retail and brand partners, providing them the opportunity to drive sales and increase engagement with shoppers.”



Interactions creates and executes more than 2 million events every year, managing 5,500 events each day for major retailers and brands. Interactions offers integrated sales and marketing programs that engage shoppers in-store and outdoor, and provides insights into shopper behavior and customer service that enable retailers and brands to make smarter business decisions and drive significant sales increases. The company has offices around the globe and operates in North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Asia. Interactions is a subsidiary of Daymon Worldwide, a leading full-service, global retail branding and sourcing partner for retailers and manufacturers.