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Publix promotes Malinda Renfroe to VP of marketing

Company veteran Mark Irby slated to retire early next year

Russell Redman

December 20, 2021

2 Min Read
Publix_supermarket-exterior.png
Plans call for Renfroe to take the marketing VP reins from Irby when he retires in February, according to Publix.Publix

Malinda Renfroe has been appointed vice president of marketing at Publix Super Markets, succeeding Mark Irby, who plans to retire next year.

Publix said Monday that the 66-year-old Irby, whose career at the Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer spans 48 years, is slated to retire at the end of February 2022, at which time Renfroe, currently director of marketing operations, will take the reins as VP of marketing.

Malinda Renfroe-Publix-hi-res.jpgRenfroe (left), 42, started at Publix in 2005 as a marketing support associate in Lakeland and, the following year, became a field marketing coordinator. She was promoted to category marketing manager in 2010 and then to manager of marketing brand management in 2016. Renfroe has served as marketing operations director since 2019. 

“Malinda is a strong leader with extensive experience across all marketing functions,” Publix President Kevin Murphy said in a statement. “Her ability to foster collaboration and team building, along with her passion for developing associates, will be instrumental as she takes this next step in her Publix career. We are excited to see the contributions she’ll continue to make in her new role.” 

Mark Irby-Publix-hi-res.jpgIrby (left) began his Publix career in 1973 at the sign shop in Lakeland. After serving in various roles within that department, he transferred to the advertising department in 1983 as a marketing and research manager. Then in 1988, he was elevated to director of marketing and advertising, followed by a promotion to his current position as marketing VP in 1989. 

Related:Publix promotes pair of finance executives

“Mark’s dedication to helping build, promote, protect and bring to life the Publix brand has made us a better company,” according to Murphy. “He’s given meaning to our ‘Where Shopping Is A Pleasure’ slogan and shaped opportunities for customers to connect with us in authentic ways, creating memorable moments with ‘my Publix’ stories. He’s made our brand a part of the fabric of our communities, building loyal and raving fans in existing markets and introducing us in new areas. We are grateful for all his years of dedicated service.” 

Overall, Publix operates 1,294 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. 

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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