Hy-Vee, The Giant Company Appoint Key Leaders

Hy-Vee has hired Jessica Hendrix who most recently served as president and CEO of marketing agency Saatchi & Saatchi X as the company’s new EVP and chief marketing officer. The Giant Company is promoting Joanna Crishock to VP of center store omnichannel merchandising.

Hendrix will assume the CMO role at Hy-Vee on April 16. Additionally, she will serve as the president of the retailer’s retail media network RedMedia.

Hendrix brings nearly 25 years of experience in retail, shopper marketing, and business development to the position, said Hy-Vee. She served as CEO and president of Saatchi & Saatchi X for nearly nine years, leading a team that partnered with companies including Procter & Gamble, Wendy’s, Kraft, Smucker’s, Samsung, and Dreyer’s.

“I truly believe bringing a leader of Jessica’s caliber on board at Hy-Vee is going to take our integrated marketing strategies to the next level,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s CEO, in a statement. “The talent and experience we have in this area is second to none, and with Jessica at the helm, I’m confident this team will bring even more value to our brand marketing efforts, the positioning of our image, and the advanced development of our retail media network.”

She will oversee the grocer’s marketing efforts and spearhead RedMedia’s growth and strategic operations.

Hendrix will report to Hy-Vee president Donna Tweeten. Current EVP and CMO Anna Stoermer will transition into leading the grocer’s merchandising efforts as chief merchandising officer.

Crishock assumed her new role Wednesday. She is now leading center store omnichannel merchandising, including non-foods (health, pet, baby, and seasonal), frozen, dairy, and center store, beer/wine and its direct store delivery, beverage, snacks, and global flavors.

“With vast experience in consumer insights, strategy, and most recently, commercial planning, price strategy, and marketing, Joanna brings tremendous knowledge and strength to her new role,” said John Ruane, president of The Giant Company, in a statement. “She is passionate about building strategic and winning relationships with our suppliers and I’m excited to see how she will leverage her expertise to advance our omnichannel strategy, drive performance, and exceed customer expectations.”

Crishock joined the retailer in 2019 as director of strategy and innovation. Since then, she has held leadership positions in consumer and marketing insights, strategy, chief of staff, e-commerce, and most recently, serving as VP of marketing and commercial planning.