LEVI STRAUSS & CO.: has named COO John Anderson as the company’s next president and CEO. He will replace Phil Marineau, who will retire on Nov. 26. Anderson, 55, has led the Asia Pacific division, which includes Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, since 1999 and supervised the company’s global supply chain organization since March 2004. He was promoted to merchandising positions in Europe and the U.S., including VP-merchandising and product development for the U.S. Levi’s brand in 1995. He worked as general manager of Levi Strauss Canada and Latin America
SKECHERS: has signed recording artist Ashlee Simpson for a new global ad campaign that will run through 2007. Under the deal, Simpson will appear in a multi-level marketing campaign wearing Skechers sport, active and fashion footwear, scheduled to launch later this year. Past spokespeople for the Manhattan Beach CA-based company include Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Carrie Underwood, the 2005 winner of American Idol is the company’s current spokesperson.
WIRELESS MARKETING SHOP IPSH!: San Francisco, has launched a division to handle mobile-media planning and buying. The division, called Fullserv-ipsh!, extends the Omnicom-owned agency’s work executing wireless-based promotions. The new unit will handle media including on-carrier deck placement, off-deck wireless Internet publications, mobile game advertising, and mobile TV channels. Current clients include Discovery Channel, McDonald’s and Disney. Ipsh is part of The Marketing Arm, which ranked No. 1 in the 2006 PROMO 100 with estimated 2005 net revenues of $56 million.
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