Former Walgreens Senior VP and Product Development and Marketing Programs Expert to Join Contemporary Marketing, Inc. (CMI)

(PRWEB) June 20, 2007 -- Robert M. Kral has been announced as the new President of Contemporary Marketing, Inc. (CMI). “Bob was looking to pursue his passion of product development and marketing programs to create win-win relationships between vendors and retailers, having recently retired after 26 years with the Walgreens Corporation,” says Michael Okun, CMI’s CEO. “The fit was perfect. We could not be more thrilled to have someone with his level of expertise working within our organization.”



Robert Kral received his Pharmacy Degree from Ohio Northern University in 1977 and joined Walgreens as a Pharmacist in 1980. He was promoted to a Store Manager in 1982 and to a District Manager in 1994. He then moved to the corporate headquarters in Deerfield, IL, and became Vice President of Store Operations in 2000.

Kral was named Vice President of Operations/Merchandising Development in 2002 and was promoted to Vice President of Purchasing in 2003. He became Senior Vice President of Purchasing in 2006.

“During my 26 years with Walgreens, I was mentored and taught by the very best,” says Kral. “I believe my experience with Product Development, Operations and Purchasing/Marketing, combined with that of CMI, will contribute to a first class sales force. This will create a very powerful team which sets us miles apart from the competition.”

“Years of experience in Operations have shown me the ways in which marketing programs or products can be successful or unsuccessful,” continues Kral. “Understanding how to achieve sales, profit and retail execution in stores were most important to me in my role at Walgreens. I have the knowledge it takes to assist vendors shape their programs to grow their businesses and ensure success, and I am looking forward to putting that knowledge to a new use.”
   
Contemporary Marketing, Inc. (CMI), based in Buffalo Grove, IL, is known throughout the industry for its ability to take companies to market, often serving as the entire marketing and sales team. “We began in 1991 to better service the growing opportunities for manufacturers with the major retailers,” explains CEO Okun. “CMI represents a diverse group of companies in retail, and we have worked with all major retailers in the US, including Drug, Mass, Food, Convenience, Health, and Specialty accounts. Our team consists of experts in sales and marketing programs, national account representation, promotional planning, packaging, research & analysis, multichannel advertising, Product development — the list goes on. Having Bob on board will bring our clients to unparalleled levels of excellence, and we look forward to his help in continuing to improve upon the already exemplary results CMI is known for producing.”

Robert Kral, President
Contemporary Marketing, INC.
1-888-541-0330
bob @ contempinc.com
www.Contempinc.com

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