Ahold USA announced that that Erik Keptner has been promoted to the newly created position of executive vice president of marketing. The move comes after Ahold USA EVP-marketing and merchandising Jeff Martin resigned unexpectedly in June. After Martin’s exit, Ahold USA said it would split the former Martin EVP role into two positions – EVP of marketing and EVP of merchandising in order to “to better support our strategy to grow as a company. With this new structure, we will be better able to support the Ahold USA divisions in delivering on their local needs in order to better differentiate themselves from competitors,” said Ahold USA COO Carl Schlicker.
In his new role, Keptner will report directly to Schlicker and will be responsible for creating, developing and implementing the retail organization’s marketing strategies in a manner that supports Ahold USA’s growth ambitions and sales targets. In the release announcing Keptner’s promotion, Ahold USA said, “Erik and his team will support the division teams in delivering a compelling brand and customer offering that drives sales and responds to the company’s customers’ needs, staying ahead of the competition.”
Keptner began his career at Ahold companies in 1998 as a consumer research analyst at Giant/Carlisle. He has taken on several roles of increasing responsibility since, including director of consumer insight data and SVP-advertising and marketing at Giant/Carlisle. Since 2010, Keptner has been the senior vice president of marketing and consumer insights for Ahold USA
Reporting to Keptner will be: the SVP of customer marketing, a position which is currently unfilled and for which a search is under way; Edward Porter, VP-consumer and business insights; Rebecca Kane, VP-brand management and customer specific marketing; Nancy Appleby, VP-advertising and marketing planning; Tracy Pawelski, VP-external communications and community relations; and Edgar Elzerman, VP-corporate brands.
As the retailer continues is search for an EVP of merchandising the following will continue to report directly to Schlicker: Jeff Dichele, SVP-non perishables; Steve Mayer, SVP-fresh; Jodie Daubert, SVP-sales development; Roger Wheeler, SVP-Oracle program lead; and Raymond McCall, SVP-pharmacy and HBC.
“Please join me in congratulating Erik and wishing him well in this new and exciting role,” said Schlicker in making the announcement.