NRF Creates Chief Marketing Officer Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation (NRF) today announced the formation of a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council to serve as the primary advertising and marketing voice for the retail industry. The trade organization’s existing Retail Advertising and Marketing Association (RAMA) will transition into the newly created council.

"During its rich history, RAMA has served as a cornerstone for the retail advertising and marketing communities, and we are fortunate to have such a diverse group of talented executives at the ready to take part in the new CMO Council," said Vicki Cantrell, senior vice president of communities for Washington, D.C.-based NRF. "As the consumer has changed, so, too, has the role of retail executives behind the scenes."

The council will "[highlight] the retail marketers’ insight and priorities, while offering a cohesive voice to represent this dynamic sector of the industry," according to Cantrell.

Open to any NRF retail member CMO or an organization’s most senior marketing position, the council will hold its first official meeting during Shop.org’s annual summit in Chicago. Council members will work with other NRF councils and communities, including the invitation-only CIO Council and Shop.org, to develop comprehensive research, present events and connect industry peers.

"The transition comes at the perfect time in the organization’s evolution," said Kevin Brown, a longtime marketing executive who will chair the CMO Council. "It allows us to be more inclusive, which will generate more viewpoints to help us tackle the complex marketing challenges facing our industry -- be it social, local or technology."