GfK Names Kennedy to Lead Optics POS Tracking Team

GfK has promoted James Kennedy to the role of Business Group Director for POS Tracking (Optics), overseeing data gathering and reporting from point-of-sale systems in contact lens outlets, as well as report collection on lens fittings from optician's offices throughout the US.

Kennedy (pictured) joined GfK in 1991, and has managed the Promotion & Causal Retail unit in North America for the past fifteen years. His work has included providing manufacturer and retail clients with a causal view of their print ad market through a panel of newspapers and flyers tracked seven days a week across the US and Canada. He has also helped to launch a number of syndicated reporting initiatives to enable clients to better understand their ad spend; and managed a retail unit that measures eCommerce and in-store shelf share. More recently, he helped build the new POS Pet Specialty panel in Canada, set to launch later this year.

In his new role, Kennedy will be responsible for client service, product development, data quality control and team management. In addition, he will align his team with GfK's global Optics team, which collects POS lens data across 27 countries. Shelly Berg, SVP, POS Tracking, comments: 'We are thrilled to have someone with James's experience and enthusiasm take the lead in POS Optics. He brings years of GfK leadership and practical problem-solving skills to the team. James is also passionate about helping clients make the most of our data, and I know he will take every opportunity to hear their needs and shape our efforts accordingly'.

Web site: www.gfk.com .