NEW, Noddle and Walgreens in spotlight at GMA conference

The Network of Executive Women was front and center at this year’s GMA Executive Conference, hosting a sold-out morning session on the new customer strategy of Walgreens and awarding the 2009 NEW Outstanding Champion award to Jeff Noddle, executive chairman of SuperValu.

More than 600 consumer products and retail industry executives attended the conference, including CEOs and senior executives from manufacturing companies and retailers from the grocery and drug channels.

Noddle was honored with the Network’s Outstanding Champion Award during the conference’s leadership luncheon August 31 by NEW President Alison Kenney Paul, a partner at Deloitte. “SuperValu is the epitome of what NEW values in a partner and champion,” said Paul. “Jeff and his team have been steady supporters of the Network’s mission, and I was gratified to be able to recognize him in front of his peers.”

Paul also moderated a sold-out morning session -- “Walgreen Centers Its Strategy on Customers” – with Walgreens executives Kim Feil, chief marketing officer, and Mark Wagner, executive vice president, store operations and community management, on September 1. The two executives discussed how the 6,738-store chain has created an enhanced customer experience by aligning marketing communication, in-store and online shopping, community connections and retail operations. The session provided details on the makeover program, a preview of their new advertising and remodeling plans currently underway at more than 400 stores.

“This event was a powerful demonstration of NEW's extraordinary relationships with key movers and shakers in the industry,” Paul said. She thanked NEW Executive Director Joan Toth and other members of the Network for helping NEW connect with senior industry executives present at the event.