New CEO for Alliance Data

In the US, data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions provider Alliance Data has appointed Ralph Andretta as President and Chief Executive, effective from next February. He will succeed Melisa Miller, who has served in the role since the June 2019 retirement of Ed Heffernan.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Alliance Data helps clients engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. The firm's card services business provides co-brand and business credit card programs: LoyaltyOne, which owns and operates the AIR MILES Reward Program in Canada, and Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty. In July, Alliance Data completed the sale of its Epsilon data business to Publicis Groupe.

Andretta (pictured) will join from Citigroup, where most recently he was MD and Head of the US cards business. Prior to this, he was Head of Loyalty, Co-Brand and Product Development for Citi, having previously worked at Bank of America as a global affinity products and international card executive. Earlier in his career, he spent eighteen years with American Express, where his portfolio included the US consumer card business, membership rewards, insurance sales and services, global Internet sales and services, product development and re-engineering.

Until Andretta arrives in his new role Charles Horn, Vice Chairman of Alliance Data, will serve as acting CEO. Chairman Rob Minicucci comments: 'As Board members came to know Ralph Andretta and understand the breadth and depth of his card business experience, operational leadership strength and financial expertise, it became apparent that Ralph was an exceptional fit for the immediate strategic needs of Alliance Data and the interests of its investors, clients and associates. As Alliance Data follows through on its business transformation, I want to thank Melisa Miller for her commitment and dedication to the company and her invaluable contribution to the growth of our card business'.

Web site: www.alliancedata.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.