COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data
Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading global provider of
data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, today announced that
Ralph Andretta has been named
president and chief executive officer of the Company, effective
February 3, 2020. Andretta joins
Alliance Data from Citigroup, where he most recently served as
managing director and head of its U.S. cards business. He succeeds
Melisa Miller, who served in the
role following the June 2019
retirement of long-time president and CEO Ed Heffernan. Mr. Andretta will also join
the Alliance Data board of directors at the time he assumes the CEO
role. Charles Horn, vice
chairman of Alliance Data, will serve as acting CEO pending the
effective date of Mr. Andretta's appointment.
"As Alliance Data follows through on its business
transformation, I want to thank Melisa
Miller for her commitment and dedication to the Company and
her invaluable contribution to the growth of our card business,"
said Alliance Data Board Chairman Rob
Minicucci.
"Today's announcement reflects an opportunistic but carefully
considered board decision. Earlier this year, the board initiated
an executive search for a newly-created chief operating officer
position. Consistent with board succession planning, the candidate
selected as COO was intended to be positioned as successor to the
Alliance Data CEO," continued Minicucci. "As board members
came to know Ralph Andretta and
understand the breadth and depth of his card business experience,
operational leadership strength and financial expertise, it became
apparent that Ralph was an exceptional fit for the immediate
strategic needs of Alliance Data and the interests of its
investors, clients and associates. Hence, a decision was made by
the full board to appoint Ralph as the Company's new CEO.
Pending Ralph's arrival, Charles
Horn will continue driving initiatives aimed at streamlining
Alliance Data's cost structure and operating model while overseeing
the Company as acting CEO, and Melisa will serve in an advisory
role during this interim period."
Prior to his position as head of U.S. cards for Citi, Andretta
held positions as head of loyalty, co-brand and product development
for Citi. At Bank of America, he was a global affinity products and
international card executive after spending 18 years with American
Express, where Andretta's portfolio included the U.S. consumer card
business, membership rewards, insurance sales and services, global
internet sales and services, product development and
re-engineering.
"I am both excited and honored to take on this new role with
Alliance Data," said Ralph
Andretta. "Having worked in many capacities across
major financial institutions, I recognize the uniqueness of
Alliance Data's business model, data-driven centricity and
go-to-market approach. I appreciate the board's confidence in
my abilities to lead the business, particularly during such an
exciting, transformative time, and I look forward to working
alongside the Company's talented associates across its lines of
business to return to consistent, sustainable earnings growth."
The guidance provided in Alliance Data's third quarter earnings
release on October 24, 2019, remains
unchanged.
About Alliance Data
Alliance Data is a leading global
provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving
large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys
customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing
experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior
while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's
most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create
and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage
millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using
traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. An S&P
500, FORTUNE 500 and FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For company
headquartered in Columbus, Ohio,
Alliance Data consists of businesses that together employ over
9,000 associates at more than 50 locations worldwide.
Alliance Data's card services business is a provider of
market-leading private label, co-brand, and business credit card
programs. LoyaltyOne owns and operates the AIR MILES®
Reward Program, Canada's most
recognized loyalty program, and Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a global
provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers. In
July 2019 Alliance Data completed the
sale of its Epsilon business to Publicis Groupe. More information
about Alliance Data can be found at www.AllianceData.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or
forecasts of future events and can generally be identified by the
use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate,"
"intend," "project," "plan," "likely," "may," "should" or other
words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that
describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans,
intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements.
We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable
assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or
other expectations expressed in this release, and no assurances can
be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
factors set forth in the Risk Factors section in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, which may be
updated in Item 1A of, or elsewhere in, our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K. Further
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact
of strategic initiatives on us or our business if any transactions
are undertaken, and whether the anticipated benefits of such
transactions can be realized as well as whether or when any share
repurchases are completed.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made,
and we undertake no obligation, other than as required by
applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, subsequent events,
anticipated or unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.
Contacts:
Alliance Data
Tiffany
Louder – Investor
Relations
214-494-3048
tiffany.louder@alliancedata.com
Shelley Whiddon –
Media
Alliance Data
214-494-3811
shelley.whiddon@alliancedata.com
Jon Stone –
Media
Ketchum
214-259-3446
jonathan.stone@ketchum.com
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SOURCE Alliance Data Systems Corporation