Borders Names Arthur Keeney to Marketing Spot
-- Publishers Weekly, 6/16/2009 3:47:00 PM
As it looks for ways to boost sales, Borders Group has appointed Arthur Keeney senior v-p of marketing, effective June 29. Keeney, according to Borders, will be charged with supplying strategic direction for the retailer’s “sales-driving initiatives and lead the team responsible for development and execution of effective marketing and promotional programs across all channels, including e-mail, Internet, direct marketing, CRM, advertising, in-store marketing, publicity, entertainment alliances and social media.” While Borders has been able to reduce costs, it has had less success improving sales and CEO Ron Marshall has said boosting revenue is now the chain’s top priority, something he believes can be done in part by better storewide execution.
Keeney, who will report to Anne Kubek, executive v-p of merchandising and marketing, had served under Marshall when they were both at Nash Finch Company. Most recently, Keeney was v-p at the Pennsylvania-based grocer Harold Friedman.
As part of his responsibilities, Keeney will oversee Borders.com; Rich Fahle, currently v-p of Borders.com, is moving to a new spot, v-p, creative, outreach and entertainment. He will report to Keeney and a search is on to find a new v-p for Borders.com.
