The Talbots Inc announced that it has named Lori Wagner as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer of the Talbots brand in a newly-created senior executive position. As part of the Company's strategy to strengthen, reposition and reinvigorate the Talbots brand, Ms. Wagner will oversee all advertising, catalog development and direct marketing.

Ms. Wagner, 43, joins Talbots with over 15 years of multi-channel marketing and brand building expertise in the specialty retail sector. Most recently, Ms. Wagner served as Chief Marketing Officer of Cole Haan, a division of Nike, where she was responsible for repositioning of the brand and all aspects of worldwide marketing and advertising.

Ms. Wagner has held a number of senior executive marketing roles including SVP Marketing at Kenneth Cole and SVP Brand Marketing and Creative at the J. Crew Group, where she spent 10 years.

In her new role, Ms. Wagner will be based in Talbots New York office and will work in close collaboration with Talbots Chief Creative Officer, Michael Smaldone. Ms. Wagner will be responsible for developing and executing promotional and marketing strategies supporting stores, catalogs and e-commerce.

She will oversee all functions of creative development, catalog and print production, advertising and sales promotion, and will manage Talbots catalog and e-commerce operations, including circulation planning and analysis, database marketing and catalog sales, as well ascustomer service.

As Chief Marketing Officer of the Talbots brand, Ms. Wagner will report to Talbots President and Chief Executive Officer Trudy Sullivan. As head of Talbots direct business, she will report to Talbots Chief Operating Officer Phil Kowalczyk.

"Today's appointment reflects our commitment to revitalize and elevate our core Talbots brand," said Ms. Sullivan. "We are thrilled to welcome Lori on board, and believe she can introduce excitement and innovation to our marketing strategies that will refresh and solidify the image of this iconic brand."