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PHILADELPHIA — Rite Aid chief marketing officer Jeanniey Walden has had a diverse career — from graduating with a teaching degree to entering the world of business and ad agencies to being an entrepreneur, leading B2B and B2C marketing strategies and more.
She says she has been fortunate to be a part of many pivotal moments including starting the first email marketing division of a global ad agency in 2000; launching the first digital newsstand app on the iPad in 2008; starting a nationally syndicated TV show in 2022; and transforming and rebuilding the brand at one of America’s most loved retail pharmacies.
She adds that she is fortunate to have learned an incredible amount throughout her career, with the biggest lessons including:
• Always create AIR: Authenticity, Inspiration, Relatability — this will never steer you wrong.
• Your network is critical, especially when things don’t go well. They will be there to lift you up.
• Know your numbers — every business lives and dies by the numbers — the more you know, the farther you will go.
Jeanniey Walden
Walden is currently in a fascinating dual role at Rite Aid, with her primary responsibility being the marketing chief. “In this role, I am responsible for developing and leading the brand strategy for the business while simultaneously partnering with my peers on our merchandising and pharmacy teams to create an experience that attracts and delights our customers to provide access to key health services when and how they need it,” she says. “My secondary role is super sweet, literally: I oversee the Thrifty ice cream business, which is owned by Rite Aid. We consider it a hidden gem and cult classic. My role with Thrifty is to create and execute a strategy that enables our business to expand beyond the doors of Rite Aid.”
Recently the company created and launched a new ad campaign that shows why It Means More at Rite Aid. The concept was particularly rewarding for Walden’s team as it’s all about showing the commitment to customers, celebrating authentic connections and shining a light on the team’s incredible dedication and positive impacts. “Our employees’ unwavering commitment to continuously make a meaningful impact inspires our customers to choose us for their whole health needs and everyday essentials,” says Walden. “We wanted to acknowledge and celebrate this, which is why we chose to feature our employees in the new ad spot.”
What she loves most about her current position is the people she gets to work with on a daily basis: “Not just those within Rite Aid and Thrifty working teams, but also our field associates who do everything they can to ensure our customers know it means more every time someone chooses to walk through our doors.”
