Visible Results News - Article

LEWIS RESIGNS AS CHAIRMAN OF VISIBLE RESULTS USA - 25 July 2002 - CSP

KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- Veteran retail and consumer marketing consultant Gerald Lewis has resigned as chairman of Visible Results USA to provide management level consulting to a limited number of U.S. and international companies in the retailing and consumer goods marketing fields. In this capacity, he will continue to serve the Kansas City-based firm, which is a member of The Visible Results Group of Cos., a global provider of thermal read/write loyalty cards to retailers and other branded marketers.Lewis joined the Auckland, New Zealand-headquartered Visible Results in May 2001 to guide the introduction of the patented Visible Results GraphiCard loyalty technology into the U.S. retailing, foodservice and hospitality markets. He maintains an equity position in the U.S. unit. He came to the firm shortly after retiring as CEO and former principal owner of CDI Group Inc., a New York City-based international retail consulting and design organization that was acquired in 1999 by Miller Zell of Atlanta. At CDI, he gained the reputation as a leader in the development, design and implementation of retail concepts, programs and facilities. During his more than 28 years at the firm, Lewis personally provided ongoing guidance and consultation services for such major companies as Mobil, Royal Ahold's Stop & Shop supermarkets, Heron International, Statoil, Amerada Hess, Texaco, Seicomart, Emro/Superamerica, Kao Corp. and Paz Oil. Lewis also authored Profitable Roadside Retailing--Making It Happen, a book on convenience retailing published by The Petroleum Marketing Education Foundation, wrote numerous articles and was a featured speaker at conventions and meetings throughout the U.S. as well as in the U.K., Austria, Hungary, Argentina and Japan. "After helping [Visible Results] structure their program for this toughest of all markets and introducing them to some of the movers and shakers in the convenience store, petroleum and supermarket industries, it is time for me to move on," Lewis said. "September 11 changed a lot of things for me. I want to concentrate on doing the things I enjoy most and do best: providing strategic guidance and assistance to senior management at Visible Results in addition to a handful of other clients I like and respect.. Although, as one friend put it, I am past my 'sell-by date,' I have found that I am not ready to fade away. I keep seeing the same developments that have been recycled several times during past decades touted as 'the next big thing' and feel I have a great deal to offer in helping clients avoid a lot of wheel spinning and focus on the things that really count." "Gerry made invaluable contributions to our organization during the past year, not the least of which was helping us gain an understanding of the unique U.S. market," said Michael Whittaker, president and CEO of the Visible Results Group of Cos. "His outstanding reputation and credibility in the marketplace gave us immediate, high-level entrée into some of the leading companies in the supermarket, convenience store and petroleum sectors. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his counsel and market knowledge in the years ahead."