Consumer specialist The NPD Group has promoted five execs to lead industry sectors across its Americas practice areas.

As head of the firm's US Hardlines business, Perry James oversees NPD's Toys, Home, Office Supplies, and Automotive practice areas. He joined the firm eighteen years ago, since when, he launched its Office Supplies business and in 2001, was named President of the division. Before joining, James worked for ACNielsen.

Mike Leahy, who now heads NPD practices in Canada and Latin America, joined NPD in 2012 to head the Canada business. In his expanded role, he now oversees services across all industries. He has more than 20 years' market research experience, including eighteen with Nielsen Media Research in Canada, where he served as President for five years. More recently, he worked for Angus Reid Strategies and Harris/Decima in Canada.

Diane Nicholson, President of US Softlines, oversees NPD's Beauty, Accessories, Apparel, Fashion Footwear, and Sports practice areas. After joining the firm in 1997, she was instrumental in launching the firm's Fashion Footwear tracking business, and later headed its Athletic Footwear and Apparel businesses and took over as Head of the Beauty service in 2005. Before joining, Nicholson spent twelve years in a variety of roles in both the retail and manufacturing industries, including positions at R.H. Macy's, the May Merchandising Company, and Liz Claiborne.

Now President of NPD's US Food sector, Arnie Schwartz leads the Food & Beverage and Foodservice businesses, and his responsibility also encompasses the SupplyTrack product tracking service, which will launch this summer. Since joining in 1987, Schwartz has served as President of NPD's Food & Beverage unit and President of the Foodservice business, and he also launched NPD's SnackTrack service.

Karl Werner, President for NPD's US Technology sector, now leads the Consumer Electronics, Technology, Games, and Mobile practice areas, having previously served as President of the Consumer Technology business and before that, as President for Commercial Technology, IT, and Printing. He joined in 2006, after eighteen years in management positions at Staples, Tech Data, Rite Aid Drug, Eckerd Drug, and The Home Shopping Network.

Dennis Brown (pictured), Group President for NPD's Americas Commercial Business, comments: 'Our new sector leadership team positions us to continue to raise NPD's game as an industry leader across the broad range of practice areas we serve. These leadership changes equip us to continue providing the market information NPD is known for - as well as a growing array of solutions that allow us to partner in new ways and drive better business decisions throughout organizations.'

In addition to these appointments, NPD also announced the promotion of five execs to officer level - Lora Morsovillo, President, Office Supplies; Caroline Pisaniello, Vice President, Product Management; Fernando Rubio, President and General Manager, Mexico; Ann Roberts, President, SupplyTrack; and Giovanna Pirrone, Vice President, Europe Retail Business Group.

Web site: www.npd.com .

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