Visible Results Appoints Marketing Executive
Visible Results Appoints Marketing Executive To Lead
American Operations
Auckland May 15, 2001 – Direct
marketing technology specialists, Visible Results today
reinforced the growth of its United States network with the
appointment of consumer marketing executive Gerald Lewis as
chairman of its US subsidiary.
The veteran retail and consumer marketing consultant has been appointed chairman of Visible Results USA Inc.
Mr. Lewis, previously chief executive of CDI Group Inc., a New York-based international retail consulting and design organisation, will be responsible for the introduction of the unique Visible Results GraphiCard™ loyalty technology into the US retailing, foodservice and hospitality markets.
Visible Results is now able to introduce the technology into the US by virtue of its recent acquisition of Graphicard Systems International (GSI) of Kansas City. The purchase included the worldwide intellectual property patents to the unique technology that underlies all of the Visible Results GraphiCard™ programs.
Visible Results last week announced a contract to supply 650,000 thermal read/write loyalty cards to True Value - the world’s largest independent chain of hardware stores. True Value has 6000 global outlets and is based in Atlanta.
“We are delighted to have an
executive of Gerry’s calibre and reputation join our
company,” said Mr. Whittaker. “He is well known and
respected for his expertise in both retail and consumer
marketing, which is important when you are introducing
something as futuristic as our retail CRM technology.”
In his new post, Mr. Lewis will report directly to Michael Whittaker, president and CEO of the Visible Results Group of Companies. The parent company is headquartered in New Zealand and has offices in Australia, Singapore, Japan and Kansas in the United States. Mr. Lewis will be based in the company’s new New York office in Manhattan.
The company’s loyalty card programs have already been implemented at such major companies as Mobil Oil in New Zealand, Caltex Oil in Singapore, Dymocks Booksellers and KFC in Australia, as well as Murasaki restaurants in Japan.
“Visible Results is on the cusp of spectacular growth in the United States. I have never been as excited by a new retail development as I am by this card,” Mr. Lewis commented. “The potential for generating major sales increases for retailers is enormous. The unique consumer appeal of the card, combined with the cost and marketing benefits it provides to retailers, will set a new standard for loyalty retailing in the US.”
In his more than 28
years at CDI, Mr. Lewis gained the reputation as a leader in
the development, design and implementation of retail
concepts, programs and facilities. Prior to that, he worked
extensively in consumer goods marketing as both a consultant
and corporate executive.
Recognised for his efforts in
the development of successful marketing programs for
manufacturers and retailers, Mr. Lewis was involved with an
extensive range of products, including books, compact discs,
cosmetics, diapers, intimate apparel, men’s/boy’s/children’s
hosiery, musical sound modification equipment, panty hose
and shoe cleaning products.
Prior to becoming a
consultant, Mr. Lewis was president of the Indian Head
Hosiery Company division of Indian Head, Inc., and was
executive vice president of the National Mills division of
U.S. Industries, Inc. At age 34, he was named chairman of
the Board of the National Association of Hosiery
manufacturers.
Visible Results USA’s New York office is
located at 230 Park Avenue, Suite 630, New
York.