Best Buy's No. 2 Marketer Departs for JC Penney

Ms. Anik, senior VP-marketing communications at Best Buy, joins Dallas-based JC Penney Nov. 26 as senior VP-director of brand marketing. Ms. Anik's departure comes four months after Best Buy shifted its estimated $200 million account to Omnicom Group's BBDO Worldwide, New York. Best Buy Advertising Prior to this shift, Ms. Anik had overseen the retailer's large in-house creative department, known as Best Buy Advertising, or BBA. A former Pillsbury Co. marketing executive, Ms. Anik rose through the ranks since joining Best Buy in 2000 as VP-media and was promoted to her current position in 2002. Since rumors began surfacing over a year ago that Best Buy might dismantle its in-house agency that numbers 150, the consumer-electronics retailer has repeatedly argued that BBA was still relevant in combination with an outside agency and would continue to handle duties such as a weekly insert program and other specialized marketing areas, including Hispanic marketing, direct marketing and loyalty programs. Lisa Hawks, a spokeswoman for Best Buy, said BBA will continue to handle those duties. "Ruby's vision of a hybrid model for marketing communications and tapping the best internal and external resources continues," Ms. Hawks said. According to a Best Buy spokeswoman, the retailer has no plans to conduct a search for Ms. Anik's replacement.

more

Bloomingdale's Enters Chevy Chase

The retail market in the U.S. has seen a flurry of activity over the past month, with Bloomingdale's taking its "New York" attitude into Chevy Chase, Md. and Macy's returning to New Orleans with the opening of two stores.

Source: WWD

WWD: BRAG Honors Naomi, Jack and other "Beauties"

WWD (New York) - BRAG HONOREES: Paying homage to high achievers in the beauty business, the Black Retail Action Group Inc., known as BRAG, will honor supermodel Naomi Campbell; John Demsey (2nd from left), group president of Estée Lauder, and Joe L. Dudley, president and ceo of Dudley Products Inc., at its 37th Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street on Friday. Other honorees are Marti Moore, divisional vice president of cosmetics at Lord & Taylor; Lisa Price, founder and managing partner of Carol's Daughter; Mikki Taylor of Essence Magazine, and Urban Brands, which will receive BRAG's Corporate Award.

The BRAG event will be on Friday, October 26th. For more information call the BRAG offices - 212.319.7751

Source: WWD

Macy's and FAO Schwartz Team Up

If FAO Schwarz is a hit at Macy's on State Street this holiday season, the storied toy store could start popping up at other Macy's department stores across the country.The New York-based toy retailer plans to open a shop within Macy's downtown Chicago store Nov. 1, said the companies, confirming a report in the Chicago Tribune last month.The 5,200-square-foot in-store shop located in the children's department will give shoppers "a taste of FAO," said Ed Schmults, FAO chief executive.

"If things go well, we would roll out to other Macy's, first in the northern territory and then maybe broader," said Schmults.The test comes at a time when Macy's and FAO Schwarz are striving to reinvent themselves. Macy's created a national department store when it bought and converted hundreds of regional department store chains, including Marshall Field's, to Macy's. FAO Schwarz, once a national chain, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2003, then was resurrected under new ownership the following year.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Banana Republic to get new CEO

Gap Inc. is expected to name Jack Calhoun, the interim president of its Banana Republic brand, to take the job permanently, cementing the leadership team of new Chief Executive Glenn Murphy.

Mr. Calhoun, 43 years old, had held the interim post since February, when he was promoted from executive vice president of marketing and merchandising at Banana Republic. He succeeded Marka Hansen, who became head of the much larger Gap brand's North American division.

The Churn

Ernesto Greco, formerly chief exective officer of Natuzzi, has been named chief financial officer of Salvatore Ferragamo.

Catherine Fulconis, formerly managing director of Hermès Parfums, is now chairman of its board.Veronique Gautier, managing director of Hermès since April 2006, also takes on the title of chairman of Hermès Parfums' supervisory board.

Bonnie Young, senior creative director for Donna Karan Collection, has left the company to focus exclusively on her namesake children's wear label.

Jelka Music has resigned as PR director at John Galliano. She will be in charge of communications for Jean Paul Gaultier.

Michael Stromberg, formerly chief merchanding officer at American Signature Inc., is now chief executive officer of Crabtree & Evelyn Group.

Augustin de Buffevent, formerly general manager of Dior U.K., is now executive vice president of Christian Dior Inc.

Melissa Matthews has been named beauty editor at Woman's Day. She had been associate beauty & fashion editor at Family Circle.

Erin Dineen has left her position as public relations manager at Catherine Malandrino. She is now the public relations manager at Diane von Furstenberg.

Joost van Vollenhoven, formerly at Unilever, has been named managing director of Viktor & Rolf.

Fred Perry announces that John Young has been appointed U.S.A. country manager for the brand.J

ill Cooper is now in the PR department at Dream Society, a division of Joe's Jeans. She was previously at Escada.

Alexandra Lasky has left Siren PR. She is now at Shadow PR.Alexis Przybylski has been promoted to public relations manager at Chopard.


BPCM Los Angeles has recently signed Derek Lam, Celine, and Rebecca Minkoff for West Coast PR and celebrity dressing services.