Content about VP

WASHINGTON — One of the more recognizable faces of the Natural Products Association, VP global government and scientific affairs Daniel Fabricant, will be leaving association work in favor of the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Store News learned Wednesday.

A staunch advocate of natural products who has testified before Congress on behalf of the supplement industry, Fabricant will join the FDA as director of the division of dietary supplement programs by the end of February.

New twists on classic candy brands helped propel dollar sales in the chocolate candy segment ahead nearly 10%. An increase in prices contributed to the dollar sales gain, but a big boost came from line extensions and limited-edition flavors.

“The old standbys are comfort brands for consumers, and manufacturers continue to trade off their following with new products,” said Lisbeth Echeandia, VP trade marketing of consulting firm Frey Enterprises.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A veteran of Walmart and Tesco, Walgreens VP merchandising Bryan Pugh brought a more analytical and customer-targeted approach to front-end merchandising. His oft-stated mission: to oversee, in coordination with the company’s Customer Centric Retailing initiative and other renewal efforts, a more cost-effective and more compelling merchandising strategy.



Continued product innovation in the sugarless gum segment helped push dollar sales ahead nearly 5% for the 12 weeks ended Nov. 28, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group.


“Constant newness has been driving the category, and as manufacturers continue to invest in advertising, consumer interest remains high,” said Lisbeth Echeandia, VP trade marketing for consulting group Frey Enterprises.


NEW YORK — Lumene, a beauty brand from Finland that came to the U.S. beauty market in 2003 through an exclusive deal with CVS/pharmacy, is gearing up for growth in 2011 with revamped formulas and new packaging to better communicate with the U.S. consumer.

Since entering the marketing in 2003, Lumene has garnered an impressive following and has expanded beyond CVS’ store base of about 7,100 stores to roughly 3,400 Walgreens stores, 400 Ulta locations and 103 Sears stores. The brand also is available in select Target, Wegmans, Meijer and Giant Eagle locations.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets recently promoted Mike Mignola to VP merchandising, according to published reports.

Mignola last year had been named regional VP, overseeing 66 Weis Markets locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.

Mignola will report to SVP sales and merchandising Kurt Schertle.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Hair care company Salon Grafix has announced that it will be releasing in the spring its new 450 Maximum Heat Protect spray to help protect hair from the extreme heat of such styling appliances as flat irons, blow-dryers and curling irons.

According to the company, it is the first-ever 450-degree thermal protection spray in the industry, and it's suitable for all hair types. To use: spray the 450 Maximum Heat Protect spray evenly throughout hair before styling.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday announced that Emily Skor has been selected to serve as VP communications and alliance development, effective Feb. 14.

Reporting to CHPA president and CEO Scott Melville, Skor will oversee and provide strategic direction for all association communications, media relations, public education, brand management, consumer and market research and strategic partnerships. She also will oversee the CHPA Educational Foundation and serve as a member of the association’s senior management team.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Drug database provider First DataBank has appointed former Gold Standard/Elsevier editor-in-chief Karl Matuszewski as VP clinical and editorial knowledge-base services, the company said Tuesday.

In the new role, Matuszewski will guide editorial policy development for the creation and maintenance of First DataBank’s knowledge-base services and disease decision support products, including National Drug Data File Plus, OrderView Med Knowledge Base and related clinical modules.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has announced that it is offering free blood pressure testing through Jan. 16 at all Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics nationwide, as announced Thursday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

FORT MILL, S.C. — According to the latest “Mobile POS Survey,” commissioned by Honeywell and conducted by Harris Interactive online in December, consumers are accepting of a mobile checkout offering at retail — 50% of those who have tried mobile checkouts believed it saves time and 43% liked the convenience of paperless receipts delivered via e-mail.