OMNICOM GROUP’S: New Solutions, London, named Victoria Leavitt CEO of the brand development agency. Leavitt had been director of commercial development for Omnicom’s Rameses Europe Ltd. and earlier was an account management and business development executive at Rapp Collins Communications. Leavitt was a founding partner of Lighthouse Global Network, an agency roll-up venture that acquired, then sold 17 agencies to Cordiant Communications Group (which was bought by WPP Group in 2003). Leavitt had been Cordiant’s worldwide director for integration.
MEREDITH CORP.: has bought four magazines from Gruner + Jahr for $350 million. The four titles—Parents, Child, Fitness and Family Circle— Des Moines, IA-based Meredith’s stable of women’s titles.
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL, INC.: has signed a license agreement to extend its Penguin brand to newborn, infant and toddler sizes with Weeplay LLC. As part of the agreement, Weeplay will produce sportswear and outerwear, including denim pants, sweaters, skirts, dresses, blouses and jackets in department and specialty stores next spring.
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