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.
Senior-most communications executives in the Fortune 500 earned between $50,000 and $100,000 more this year than they did two years ago, according to a recent survey of chief communications officers.
The pressure is on PR pros to make sure corporate messaging remains clear and cohesive. Business jargon is an obstacle to achieving this goal.
In today's volatile world of constant disruption, the ability to offer reliability and dependability is more valuable than ever.
