Debra Berman

J.C. Penney is tapping former Mondelez International Chief Marketing Officer Mary Beth West to lead the company's marketing. Ms. West, who currently sits on the retailer's board of directors, will serve as J.C. Penney's executive vice president, chief customer and marketing officer beginning June 1. Ms. West, who had a long career at Kraft Food Group before assuming the top marketing role at Mondelez, will step down from J.C. Penney's board when she takes on the new role. She will replace Debra Berman, who departed in March after less than two years at the company.

The bad news continues for J.C. Penney. At the end of February, its stock tanked following the announcement of disappointing profit numbers for 2014. Its chief marketing officer, Debra Berman, left abruptly in mid-March, followed, on March 20, by general counsel Janet Dhillon. Now Fortune has learned that a former employee, Robert Blatchford, has filed a claim against the company under Florida's Private Whistleblower Act. The case — which could lead to deposition testimony by former CEO Ron Johnson — brings back to life a dark period in J.C. Penney's history. 

J.C. Penney's chief marketing officer Deb Berman has resigned. She joined Plano, Texas-based Penney in August 2013 from Kraft Foods Group where she was vice president of marketing strategy and engagement. Penney said in a statement Tuesday that Berman's departure was her decision. "J.C. Penney is grateful for her service, and we wish her well in all future endeavors," the company said. Berman was part of CEO Mike Ullman's rebuilding team after the company lost a lot of high-level talent during former CEO Ron Johnson's attempt to remake the department store in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Retail Online Integration's fifth annual list of the leading women executives in omnichannel retail features some of the brightest minds in the industry. This year's nominees were chosen for being in a top-level position within an omnichannel retail organization, along with several other criteria, including their scope of responsibility, achievements within their own companies, and their involvement within the retail industry. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the career paths of some of today's leading retail experts, as well as find out what they believe will be the top tip for omnichannel retail success in 2015.

J.C. Penney wants to draw its long-lost customers back into stores by urging them to "Jingle More Bells" this holiday season. In an effort to reconnect with customers and "reclaim" its brand, the retailer launched its first national TV holiday campaign Tuesday under the marketing leadership of former Kraft Foods exec Debra Berman, who has been senior VP-marketing since July. Along with newly appointed agency Doner, Ms. Berman said she hopes the ads

Less than three months after JC Penney named former Kraft Foods exec Debra Berman to lead the retailer's marketing strategy, she's brought in a whole new agency team, including Doner, EVB and Victors & Spoils, to step up the company's advertising. Their first order of business? A holiday campaign. Ms. Berman, senior VP-marketing, said she determined in September that the