News Briefs
- 2/4/2025
Qsic Hires Industry Leader Marc Walkin to Head Marketing
In-store audio platform Qsic named Marc Walkin as its vice president of marketing.
Effective in January, Walkin is tasked with leading Qsic’s marketing strategy as the company looks to expand its global presence, according to a media release.
“As retailers look to turn on new revenue streams, in-store retail media is emerging as the next major growth area, presenting a massive opportunity for audio as an advertising channel," Matt Elsley, co-founder and CEO of Qsic, said in the release. "We have ambitious plans to expand into new markets, introduce new capabilities and bring more awareness to the value of audio, and [Walkin] has the experience to execute them.”
Walkin brings plenty of experience in retail media and brand marketing to Qsic, having previously held leadership roles at Ahold Delhaize, Staples, PopCorners, Beech-Nut Nutrition Co. and Ahold Delhaize’s Stop & Shop.
Additionally, prior to joining Qsic, he co-founded Turbyne, a retail media platform spun off from Advantage Solutions, which he helped lead into an acquisition by Colateral in 2024.
"Qsic is fundamentally redefining the value of in-store audio in today’s retail media-driven landscape and taking a data-first approach to changing how retailers and brands connect with consumers through audio," Walkin said. "It’s an exciting time for retail media, and I’m eager to tell the story of how Qsic is transforming the industry through audio."
Walkin’s appointment follows the closure of a $25 million Series B funding round from Qsic to fuel the company’s expansion. Qsic plans to double its workforce and roll out more than 70,000 speakers across North America over the next year.
- 2/4/2025
Meijer Media Adds Pinterest, CTV Ads
Meijer Media, the Midwest-based mass merchant’s retail media network, has expanded its advertising inventory, integrating with Pinterest and adding online video (OLV) and connected TV (CTV).
The addition of these touchpoints offer brands more personalized and creative ways to connect with shoppers and meet them at "key moments of inspiration and discovery," according to a media release.
Pinterest Integration
Meijer Media's campaigns on Pinterest leverage its first-party data to create visually engaging content aligned with customer preferences. The retailer also says Pinterest provides an opportunity to tie into retail moments, such as back-to-school, holiday shopping and seasonal cleanups as a way to drive meaningful connections.
[Also Read: 2025 Retailer Media Network Ratings & Insights]
OLV, CTV
As consumers increasingly turn to streaming platforms, Meijer Media's OLV and CTV strategies focus on delivering compelling video content that captures attention and drives brand awareness, per the release. Ad campaigns can showcase product innovations, reinforce brand equity and tap into the "emotional power of video to connect" with "highly engaged" viewers. "By combining creative storytelling, data-driven targeting and strategic media partners, we're empowering brands to engage customers at every step of their journey and deliver measurable results," Jeff Leitch, director of Meijer Media, said in a release.
- 2/3/2025
Colgate-Palmolive CMO Diana Haussling Takes Helm of Hello Products
Colgate-Palmolive personal-care brand Hello Products has hired a new CEO.
Diana Haussling announced her appointment via LinkedIn on Feb. 4, sharing her excitement about "leading an incredible team that’s redefining traditional categories with bold innovation and a fresh perspective."
Prior to this role, Haussling spent three years as chief marketing officer of North America and senior vice president, general manager of consumer experience and growth, Colgate-Palmolive. She also served as VP, general manager of digital commerce, from 2021-2022.
In addition to Colgate-Palmolive, Haussling’s resume includes various roles at other major CPG manufacturers, including Campbell Soup Co., General Mills and The Hershey Co.
In the LinkedIn post announcing her promotion, Haussling called out some Hello Products claims she’s proud of including that the brand is:
- The “fastest growing” in both toothpaste and deodorant.
- No. 1 in digital penetration in its categories.
- Experiencing “double-digit” growth for its mouthwash.
"As I take on this new role, I’m energized by the opportunity to continue shaking up the industry and creating those #everydayyay moments that make hello so special," Haussling wrote.
- 1/30/2025
In-Store Audio Platform Qsic Secures $25 Million
In-store audio platform Qsic closed a $25 million Series B funding round led by London-based technology investment firm Hedosophia in January.
The funds will be used to support the expansion of its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered in-store retail media platform into new retail locations, accelerate product development and scale its sales team, according to a media release.
Qsic powers in-store audio and retail media for retailers and quick-service restaurants (QSRs), including 7-Eleven, Coles Express and McDonald's. The company currently reaches more than 100 million shoppers at the point of purchase monthly, with more than 70,000 speakers set to deploy across North America over the next year.
"The demand for our solution is strong," Matt Elsley, co-founder and CEO of Qsic, said in the release. "Now, we’re positioned to accelerate product development to enhance our tech capabilities and put new resources in place to grow our network to drive even greater, measurable outcomes for our retail partners and brands globally."
Gulp Media Partnership
In November 2024, Qsic extended its partnership with 7-Eleven’s retail media network to rollout Gulp Radio in more than 5,000 stores across the U.S. by the end of 2024 and more than 12,000 stores by the end of 2025, including all 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide.
Once fully deployed at scale, Qsic says Gulp Radio will be one of North America’s largest commercial radio networks, reaching the retailer’s 13 million daily shoppers.
About Qsic
To support scale and customization, Qsic developed a proprietary generative AI model, Lucy, for the creation of custom audio ad content, including on-demand voiceovers. Lucy dynamically creates and localizes ad content in real time, leveraging retailer data to include details such as local pricing, inventory and weather conditions to increase engagement with shoppers.
According to Qsic, its solutions surpass IAB standards by automatically adjusting audio volume based on ambient noise levels to ensure each ad is heard clearly. Additionally, Qsic's system timestamps each ad to provide validation for in-store media compliance.
- 1/27/2025
Hy-Vee Names Chief Marketer, President of RedMedia
Hy-Vee has promoted Kathryn Mazza to senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Hy-Vee, as well as president of RedMedia, the grocery chain’s retail media network.
Mazza joined Hy-Vee in February 2024 as SVP of RedMedia. Prior to that, she spent nearly 20 years at Dick’s Sporting Goods serving in various marketing and retail media roles, including VP of media and general manager of retail media.
As president of RedMedia, Mazza will oversee the continued growth and development of the media network, which was launched in 2023.
The move comes after Hy-Vee president Donna Tweeten retired on Jan. 24 after a 35-year career at the grocery chain. (Her retirement plans were announced in October 2024.) Tweeten previously served as Hy-Vee’s chief marketer and RedMedia president.
“I look forward to continuing the strong marketing efforts we’ve been known for at Hy-Vee and best positioning our brand and value messaging with our customers,” Mazza said in a media release. “Another top priority of mine will be further strengthening our vendor and supplier partnerships as we plan for the future.”
“[Mazza] has already demonstrated tremendous leadership when it comes to helping the market recognize the power of Hy-Vee’s brand,” Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s chairman and CEO, added. “[She] is the right leader to help bring our retail media and marketing efforts together to create even more value for our customers and our vendor partners. She has the skillset and capabilities to expand and advance our efforts and campaigns into the future.”
Mazza is a member of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle and is the executive sponsor for the Minnesota Lynx Changemakers program, a venture focused on building the next generation of leaders.
- 1/26/2025
WHSmith Debuts Retail Media Network
Travel retailer WHSmith North America (WHSNA) has thrown its hat in the increasingly diversified retail media space with the launch of its own network, which combines in-store, out-of-home and digital out-of-home advertising touchpoints.
WHSNA operates more than 340 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada, including under Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion banners, located in airports, train stations and resorts.
WHSmith North America Media Network (WHS Media) is designed to combine its digital and physical placements with audience data and insights to enable advertisers’ off-site campaigns and engage the millions of travelers who pass through North American airports each day. These customers are primed to accept last-minute messaging for CPG essentials and have an average dwell time of around 40 minutes, Stuart Michell, chief commercial officer, WHSmith North America, told P2PI.
WHSNA currently has a network of nearly 200 digital screens located in-store and plans to double its in-store screen network this year, he said. Its relationship with North American airports also enables campaigns to be activated beyond the store footprint.
The network was created with retail media agency SMG. Through WHSNA’s partnerships with The Trade Desk and Meta, the network offers geotargeting capabilities offsite, as well as targeting across social media and the web.