Harte-Hanks promotes Simpson to SVP of retail, consumer brands

Jeff Simpson

Harte-Hanks has promoted Jeff Simpson to SVP of retail and consumer brand markets in the firm's direct marketing division. Reporting to Gary Skidmore, president of Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing, he will oversee a 25-employee division. 

In the newly created role, Simpson will be responsible for building and executing the firm's retail and consumer brand go-to-market strategy. He will also work with other Harte-Hanks business units to create multichannel campaigns.

Skidmore said Harte-Hanks created the position to offer a more customer-centric approach to product development and sales.  

“This position fits [Simpson's] skill-set,” said Skidmore. “He has a long career as a marketing executive at retail companies. He has a unique ability to work with customers and understand the challenges they face and how to help them solve those problems.”  

Simpson joined Harte-Hanks in 2008 and was named SVP of marketing strategy and customer insight last June. Previously, he served as VP of marketing at Belk Department Stores.

Simpson's short-term goals will be to promote Harte-Hanks' retail and consumer brand offerings, said Skidmore.

“We have a great history in those two markets,” he said. “We need to do a better job telling that story.”  

Skidmore said the company did not look externally to fill the position.

Harte-Hanks' major clients include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cisco Systems, Marshalls and Toyota Motor Sales USA.