Marketing executive Neil Ashe has joined Wal-mart Stores as president and CEO of the company's global e-commerce business. Ashe is replacing Eduardo Castro-Wright, who is retiring but who will assist in the transition, the retailer confirmed Jan. 17.

Communications and entertainment company Cox Communications named Draftfcb's Chicago office its national digital and direct-response agency of record after a two-month review, Todd Smith, director of media relations at Cox Communications, confirmed via email on Jan. 16.

Barnaby Dawe, the marketing communications director at News International, is leaving the newspaper industry to become the chief marketing officer for book publisher HarperCollins.

Fifty-two percent of direct and digital marketers will hire staff this quarter, up from just 40% in the last quarter of 2011, according to an employment report from recruitment firm Bernhart Associates Executive Search released on Jan. 17.

Retailer Ralph Lauren "blends merchandising and entertainment" to tell the story that surrounds its products, a tactic essential to keeping an iconic brand relevant in the technologically developing retail world, said David Lauren, Ralph Lauren's EVP of advertising, marketing and corporate communications, at the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 101st Big Show on Jan. 17.

Digital agency 360i named Sarah Hofstetter president and Jared Belsky EVP, the digital agency said on Jan. 17. The promotions took effect this morning, said 360i CEO Bryan Wiener.

American Smartphone Owners - eTargetMedia - This file is comprised of individuals who own smartphones and who rely on their devices to remain connected at all times.

Direct Marketing News is seeking submissions for the 2012 Essential Guide to Database Marketing, which will be published April 1.

Equinox's email to lapsed members is offensive, corny and doesn't fully leverage consumer data to simplify registration.

The premise behind BBH New York's "Good Shirts" campaign for UNICEF is simple: Buy a specially designed original T-shirt, and all the money from the purchase goes towards the charity's fundraising efforts to combat the current humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa.

The American Red Cross launched a multichannel year-end campaign to allow consumers to buy regular gifts for loved ones through a gift catalog that places these items side-by-side with gifts and services for those less fortunate.