This Week’s Exec Shifts: Barnes & Noble CEO Departs

This week, book retailer Barnes & Noble announced the immediate departure of its CEO.

Barnes & Noble CEO Departs

Retailer Barnes & Noble announced that its chief executive, Demos Parneros, is leaving without severance due to unspecified violations of company policy. However, the statement makes clear that his departure has nothing to do with “any disagreement with the company regarding its financial reporting, policies or practices or any potential fraud relating thereto.” A leadership group has been appointed with shared responsibilities of the office until a new CEO is named, and they include: chief financial officer Allen Lindstrom, chief merchandising officer Tim Mantel and VP of stores Carl Hauch. Leonard Riggio will remain as executive chairman of the company and will continue to be involved in its management.

Parneros served as the company’s CEO for just over a year. In that time, he brought on a number of new executives and headed several initiatives, including the Barnes & Noble Book Club, to boost revenues despite declining foot traffic to retail stores.

Coty Ups Three Marketing Officers In Executive Restructure 

Coty Inc. announced that it is restructuring the leadership of its consumer beauty division with the simultaneous promotions of three chief marketing officers who will oversee different segments of the business. Mike Bryce, Mark Cooper and Ukonwa Ojo will lead color cosmetics, retail hair and body care; lifestyle scenting; and Cover Girl and Sally Hansen replacing the former (single) marketing chief Friedemann Schmid, who leaves in September. The consumer beauty division’s restructuring was designed to increase attention toward brands such as Cover Girl, Sally Hansen, Rimmel, Clairol and Max Factor, which are in various stages of relaunching.

“I’m confident that these moves will enable us to realize our vision and deliver on our mission at Coty to become a clear challenger in beauty,” Laurent Kleitman, Coty’s president of consumer beauty, said in a statement.

Video Advertising Bureau Promotes VP

Jason Wiese has been promoted to senior vice president and director of strategic insights of the Video Advertising Bureau. He was previously vice president of strategic insights, and will “provide marketers with industry-defining data, actionable thought leadership and custom reports to navigate and optimize the ever-expanding world of premium multiscreen video content,” in his new role according to a statement by the VAB. Wiese joined the company in 2013 and has authored many of its signature reports.

Travelstart Hires New CMO

Jerome Touze has been named as Travelstart’s new chief marketing officer, based in Cape Town. Touze co-founded the social networking site Wayn.com and served as its COO before joining Travelstart.

GE CMO Joins Ad Council Board Chair

Linda Boff, the chief marketing officer for GE, has been named chair of the Ad Council’s Board of Directors. Boff will serve one year in this role, working closely with the executive committee, the governing body of the Ad Council’s Board, and Ad Council leadership to help raise awareness and inspire action on behalf of national social issues. She is also tasked with managing and advising business affairs and policy initiatives, in addition to chairing the Ad Council’s 2018 Annual Public Service Award Dinner on December 5, 2018 at the New York Hilton.

In a statement, Ad Council President and CEO Lisa Sherman said, “We’re thrilled to announce Linda’s leadership role as Chair of the Board … Linda is one of the most forward-thinking leaders in our industry, with an unparalleled passion for innovation and social good. Her leadership will be an invaluable asset to our Board and many of the most critical social issues facing our country.”

Walmart Hires New CMO; Creates Chief Customer Officer Position

Retail giant Walmart announced the hiring of Barbara Messing as its new chief marketing officer, replacing Tony Rogers (who is moving to Sam’s Club) in August. She will report to Janey Whiteside, who was hired at the same time to the newly created role of chief customer officer, which focuses on attracting shoppers and offering improved customer service during a time when retail stores are having increased difficulty retaining shoppers. Whiteside will be responsible for both Walmart’s physical stores and its ecommerce offerings when she joins in August.

Wharf Hotels Welcomes Marketing VP

Wharf Hotels has appointed Sandy Russell to vice president of sales and marketing. In this role, she will oversee the hospitality management company’s sales and marketing while spearheading revenue optimization and distribution initiatives alongside global sales and marketing. Prior to joining Wharf Hotels, Russell was the Asia-Pacific VP of commercial operations at Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, based in Singapore.

“We are delighted to have Sandy lead our team and look forward to the next phase in our growth and development with her global marketing expertise,” said Wharf Hotels president Jennifer Cronin.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly careers post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, July 6. Have a new hire tip? We’re looking for senior executive role changes in marketing and media. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

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