• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, January 22, 2019

VMLY&R has promoted Jon Bird to chief retail and commerce officer. He will lead the agency’s global commerce practice, which offers ecommerce, connected retail and relationship marketing capabilities to clients.

The practice is currently working with clients in the U.S. including Hershey’s, General Mills, Office Depot and United Rentals. It also serves other major markets including China.

Previously Bird spent two years as executive director, global retail and shopper marketing at VML, working on retail programs such as digital ‘endless aisles’ and interactive induction cooktops for Electrolux/Frigidaire. Before joining VML, Bird served as the head of Labstore, Y&R’s global retail and shopper marketing division and before that was a founding partner and executive chairman of Y&R Group’s retail marketing agency IdeaWorks.

“Jon has an unparalleled talent for identifying trends and uncovering insights in the retail sector,” stated Jon Cook, Global CEO. “Commerce is increasingly digital and global, and Jon’s keen perspective and holistic outlook of today’s commerce and retail landscape will be invaluable to our clients and partners.”  

Bird will work with Lauren Miller who has been named managing director of the practice.