Office Depot has named Jerri DeVard as its EVP and Chief Marketing Officer. DeVard will report directly to CEO Gerry Smith.
DeVard will lead Office Depot’s brand positioning strategy and oversee the integration of all marketing and communications initiatives. She will be responsible for driving the growth and implementation of strategic marketing activities that build brand equity and increase market share.
The move comes seven months after Office Depot brought in Smith to replace former CEO Roland Smith, who retired in August 2016. The company has been in turnaround mode since a failed merger attempt with chief rival Staples in early 2016. It is on track to close 300 more stores by 2019 and even sold off its European business.
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DeVard is joining a team that recently launched new initiatives designed to improve the customer experience. In July, Office Depot unveiled a mobile-powered loyalty program, “Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards Everything,” which enables shoppers to get 2% of spending back in rewards and earn an additional $2 in rewards by posting online product reviews. The next month, the retailer introduced same-day delivery pilots in markets such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale-Miami.
DeVard has more than 30 years of extensive marketing and leadership experience at large global brands, most recently serving as Senior VP and CMO for ADT. Prior to ADT, DeVard held various marketing leadership positions for organizations including Nokia, Verizon and Citigroup. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Under Armour and Cars.com.
