Department store retailer Hudson's Bay Company has organized a new corporate communications and PR unit under Andrew Blecher, who was elevated to senior VP.
Blecher worked on the agency side with Lividini & Co. as a senior counselor advising fashion and retail clients, including Hudson's Bay Co. He was previously a senior PR exec with Saks Fifth Avenue, which was acquired by Hudson's Bay in 2014.
Hudson's Bay CEO Jerry Storch said the move is part of the Toronto-based company's creation of "centers of excellence" in key functions. The communications division includes global and internal comms., as well as PR and corporate comms.
The revamp is part of a corporate plan announced in September to boost HBC's performance and streamline operations.
The company traces its roots back to 1670 as the oldest company in North America. In addition to Saks, it owns Lord & Taylor, Galeria Kaufhof (Germany) and Home Outfitters.
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Teneo has hired Philipp Grontzki, who is a 20-year veteran of corporate communications and financial journalism, as a managing director in its strategy and communications group.
Rowan Benecke, who co-founded Zeno Group and helmed Burson-Marsteller's tech practice, has joined McKinsey & Co as director of communications for North America.
BCW has named Golin's Matt Coldagelli EVP and leader of its corporate affairs practice in Chicago.
Abby Bailey, who headed corporate communications for Fedex in its Middle East, India and Africa region, has joined Teneo as managing director in Dubai.
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