GMDC Names Tom Duffy as VP of Member Development

Tom Duffy has joined Global Market Development Center (GMDC) as its new VP of member development. In his new role, Duffy will focus primarily on expanding the association’s reach within the retail and consumer product industry to create the premiere global network for industry professions within the general merchandise (GM) and health, beauty and wellness sectors.

Duffy has more than three decades of industry expertise, having most recently served as EVP of industry affairs at Acosta, where he was responsible for marketing, communications and industry affairs initiatives. Prior to that, he was VP of industry services at Nielsen, where he was responsible for client, partner and industry relations; trade strategy; and thought leadership development.

“Tom is a visionary in the industry and has served as a valued member of GMDC, helping chart the future for our association through leading-edge initiatives like our Nielsen hierarchy platform that spotlights tomorrow’s trends today,” GMDC President and CEO Patrick Spear said in a statement. “He has a proven track record of cultivating relationships and creating innovative ‘go-to-market’ strategies that drive market share and brand loyalty with key audiences, influencers and industry communities.”

Related:GMDC Promotes Mechelse to VP

Duffy has been intricately involved in GMDC through the years, serving as co-chair of the association’s education leadership council, where he was the architect of the GMDC-exclusive GM hierarchy benchmarking initiative—a partnership with Nielsen and Retail Insights that was launched in 2012 to offer members the first standardized and detailed look into the $202 billion GM industry. As an enhanced benefit to GMDC members, an interactive dashboard version of the tool was launched earlier this year.

From 2004-2007, Duffy served as director of business and industry partnership of TDLinx—a division of Nielsen—the universally accepted store, outlet and account coding structure, and a premier source of retail and on-premise channel information. He was also director of marketing for FulTilt Solutions, a commercial software development company, and VP of marketing and administration for UCCnet, a tech startup.

“It’s a privilege to join GMDC,” said Duffy. “The association has a rich legacy of driving tremendous value for members and partners for nearly 50 years, and I am excited to join this extremely professional, creative and talented team. I am eager to help leverage GMDC’s vision for future growth and expansion on behalf of our member community.”

Duffy holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Rutgers University.