Management

Some are still waiting for proof that the Great Recession is finally over. Well, here's positive proof that good times have arrived: Retail CEO salaries aren't only above prerecession levels, but fabulously above them. 

Moosejaw Mountaineering, the outdoor retailer known for its quirky, irreverent marketing and unique customer engagement, has named Eoin Comerford as its new president and CEO. Comerford has been with Moosejaw since 2008 as senior vice president of marketing and technology and brings his love of the Moosejaw brand to the position.

Old Navy was recently forced to send out a recall for a Spider-Man rain jacket containing lead. The email requested that customers return the jackets, which were sold online in the U.S. and in Canada in January, for a full refund. 

State of the Social Universe: What Marketers Should Keep in Mind, from 4 Experts Who Can Help You Reach for the Stars

They shared their insights on where things are now, what trends are emerging, what marketers need to emphasize, and how they can make the most of it all. Sections include:

1) Drive the Mobile Vehicle Smartly, and Honor Your Email Opt-In Relationships
- Sara Meaney President, Strategy & Growth, Hanson Dodge Creative

2) It's About Location, Location, Location: Know Where Your Customer Is
- Asif Khan Founder and president of the Location Based Marketing Association

3) On the Rise: Social Intelligence
- Doug Camplejohn CEO of Fliptop

4) Start - and End - with Your Content
- Ann Handley Chief content officer for MarketingProfs

The way we communicate is moving-literally. Smart phones are outselling PCs, and tablet sales are expected to outpace desktop sales by 2013. But although the screens may be smaller, the possibilities for engagement are larger than ever.

You'll find the following covered in this handy whitepaper:

- What Does Mocial Mean for Marketers?
- Determining Your Mocial Strategy and Goals
- Growing Your Email Database Through Social and Mobile
- Making Email More Social
- Extending the Reach of Social and Mobile
- Deploying Integrated Programs Across Email, Social and Mobile

Starbucks is opening its first ever juice bar but still has a few small kinks to work out. One of the images that it's using to promote the Evolution Fresh juice bar has a sign that reads "Most fruits and vegatables are: fat and cholesterol free." That's right folks - the giant sign spells "vegetables" incorrectly. Luckily, poor spelling doesn't have to correlate with juice quality.

Online diamond retailer Blue Nile named retail industry veteran Harvey Kanter as its chief executive, effective March 30. Kanter replaces Vijay Talwar, who took the role on an interim basis after former CEO Diane Irvine resigned last November as the company struggled to pass rising diamond costs to consumers.

OfficeMax has named a new executive to lead its merchandising initiatives, including category management, strategic product planning, global sourcing, private label expansion and cost of goods sold. The company anounced that Ronald Lalla has been named executive vice president, chief merchandising officer, effective Monday, March 19. Lalla will report to Michael Lewis, executive vice president, president retail. "Ron is a strategic merchant with a strong financial acumen who will focus on driving disciplined processes to enhance the customer experience and improve margins," said Ravi Saligram, president and CEO of OfficeMax.

J. C. Penney has announced the promotion of a number of current executives and the appointment of several highly respected retail veterans who will be at the forefront of redefining the J.C. Penney brand and shopping experience.

Walgreens is piloting a program to hire cognitively and physically disabled employees in its stores across the country, according to CEO Greg Wasson. The company's distribution centers in South Carolina and Connecticut are already about 50 percent staffed with disabled workers, he said.