Aimia Drives Global Collaboration with Appointment of Group COO
Creation of new Group COO role leverages existing capabilities and
enhances global focus
MONTREAL, Feb. 27, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – Aimia Inc. (TSX: AIM) today
announced changes to its global leadership team that build on its
existing strengths and will enable the company’s strategic aspirations
as the recognized global leader in loyalty management.
Effective immediately, David Johnston, currently EVP, President & CEO EMEA, will assume the newly created
role of Group COO, reporting into Group CEO Rupert Duchesne. As Group
COO, Johnston will drive further development of the company’s global
operating model, building on the strengths of our regional businesses
and harnessing the changes which have seen Aimia grow from less than
1,500 employees at the end of 2008 to over 4,000 employees in 20
countries today.
“Operational efficiency and effectiveness are critical to Aimia’s
ongoing success. This organizational evolution will allow the
enterprise to continue on our growth trajectory while also building
innovative products and services and ensuring delivery of operational
excellence across our significant global footprint,” said Rupert
Duchesne, Group CEO. “David’s proven track record of delivering growth
across multiple platforms and geographies will sharpen the focus that
Aimia needs to evolve into a truly global organization.”
The leaders of Aimia’s key operating regions, Canada, EMEA, US, and Asia
Pacific, will continue to drive regional strategy, operations and
execution. They will report into the Group COO role to facilitate more
collaboration and leverage the best of Aimia for our global clients.
As Group COO, Johnston will also continue to be responsible for Global
Business Development. In his most recent role at Aimia, Johnston has
led the European region to double digit growth while also leading
global business development efforts in emerging markets including
India, Chile and Brazil. He joined Aimia in 2010 from a long tenure at
Pepsico International where he held a number of senior marketing and
general management positions.
Concurrent with the creation of the Group COO role, Liz Graham, currently on a medical leave of absence, will return later this year
to the role of Executive Vice President, Operations & Strategic
Initiatives. This role encompasses Ms. Graham‘s current
responsibilities including overseeing the global CIO office, and is
expanded to also include development and delivery of Aimia’s scalable
and efficient product set, supporting client needs and business growth.
Jan-Pieter Lips, currently Managing Director, Nectar UK and RMMEL, will step up as
President for the EMEA Region. He becomes a member of the global
Executive Committee with immediate effect, reporting to the Group COO.
A Dutch national who has worked in the UK since 2003, Jan-Pieter is one
of the pioneers of the loyalty management industry in Europe, having
started his career with Loyalty Management Group in the Netherlands in
1997.
Melissa Sonberg, Senior Vice President, Global Brand, Communications and External
Affairs and a Founding Executive who stewarded the company’s IPO
process, and previously led the Human Resources, Public Affairs, IR,
CSR and Legal functions, has announced her intention to retire from the
organization during the fourth quarter following a transition of her
current responsibilities.
All appointments are effective immediately and all other roles remain
unchanged.
About Aimia
Aimia Inc. (“Aimia”) is a global leader in loyalty management. Employing
more than 4,000 people in over 20 countries worldwide, Aimia offers
clients, partners and members proven expertise in launching and
managing coalition loyalty programs, delivering proprietary loyalty
services, creating value through loyalty analytics and driving
innovation in the emerging digital, mobile and social communications
spaces.
Aimia owns and operates Aeroplan, Canada’s premier coalition loyalty
program and Nectar, the United Kingdom’s largest coalition loyalty
program. In addition, Aimia owns stakes in Air Miles Middle East,
Nectar Italia, Mexico’s leading coalition loyalty program Club Premier,
Brazil’s Prismah Fidelidade, and i2c, a joint venture with Sainsbury’s
offering insight and data analytics services in the UK to retailers and
suppliers. Aimia also holds a minority position in Cardlytics, a
US-based private company operating in transaction-driven marketing for
electronic banking. Aimia is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:
AIM). For more information, visit us at www.aimia.com
SOURCE: AIMIA
Contact:
Media
Krista Pawley
416-352 3794
krista.pawley@aimia.com
Investors
Karen Keyes
514-205 7163
karen.keyes@aimia.com