-By Staff Report

Walgreens has named Kim L. Feil as vp and CMO, a newly created position, to oversee the drugstore chain's marketing efforts, including in-store customer experience and Take Care Clinic services.

Feil, who comes to Walgreens from Sara Lee, will report to company president Greg Wasson. Headquarters is in Deerfield, Ill.

At Sara Lee, Feil served as senior vp and CMO of North America, where she led food and beverage marketing. Wasson said she brings 25 years of consumer research and marketing experience with her, and "offers a valuable and unique perspective in collecting and leveraging consumer insights."

"Under Kim’s direction, our marketing folks will enhance the in-store customer experience and create stronger connections to our online offerings and Take Care Clinic services," said Wasson, in a statement.

Prior to joining Sara Lee in 2005, Feil was vp and senior marketing officer at Kimberly-Clark. While there, Feil put into operation the company’s brand equity management program. She also held various roles at Information Resources, Cadbury Schweppes and PepsiCo.

In a related development, Walgreens appointed former evp of marketing George J. Riedl as evp of merchandising. Riedl will continue with his current responsibilities, but also will oversee Walgreens' new customer-centric retailing project, which involves improving store experience based on consumer insights and data collected by Walgreens.

Walgreens operates 6,443 stores in 49 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.