QVC, Inc. Appoints Claire Watts CEO, U.S.

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Jan 18, 2011, 04:29 ET

WEST CHESTER, Pa., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- QVC, Inc. announced today the promotion of Claire Watts to the newly created position of CEO, U.S., reporting to QVC President and CEO Mike George. Watts' new position, which is effective immediately, includes responsibility for the overall strategy and operations of QVC's U.S. business.

"Since joining QVC three years ago, Claire has had an extraordinary impact in making QVC a leading and innovative multichannel retailer," said QVC's President and CEO, Mike George. "By taking on these expanded responsibilities, I am confident she will take our U.S. business to new heights, while also allowing me to focus more on QVC's growing global operations."

Watts joined QVC in 2008 as President, U.S. Commerce. Under her leadership, the company developed and executed a bold vision for remaking QVC as a premier shopping community. Key company initiatives she has led include:

Launching new merchandising, such as Isaac Mizrahi, K-Dash by the Kardashians, Liz Claiborne New York, Rachael Ray, Gordon Ramsay, Godiva, and Harry and David.

Creating buzzworthy programming through alliances with NBC's The Apprentice and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and live remote productions from The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Buzz on the Red Carpet in Los Angeles, and Fashion's Night Out in New York City.

Expanding QVC.com and leading a major push into mobile platforms, which are growing at a significant rate.

In addition to positioning QVC for long-term success, Watts has helped drive strong U.S. revenue growth over the last four quarters (through Q3) of 9 percent, adjusted OIBDA growth of 17 percent, ecommerce revenue growth of 23 percent, and revenue growth from new customers of 30 percent.

In her new position as CEO, U.S., Watts will assume responsibility for QVC's Customer Fulfillment Services team. She will oversee QVC's Customer Service and Distribution departments, which include the company's three U.S.-based call centers and its four U.S.-based distribution centers. Watts will continue to oversee teams responsible for merchandising, programming, marketing, affiliate sales, broadcasting, QVC.com, consumer insights and quality & supply chain.

Watts joined QVC with 25 years of broad retail and merchandising experience with industry leaders in the department store, specialty, catalog and mass segments. Prior to joining QVC, Watts spent 10 years in various positions with Wal-Mart, where she most recently served as executive vice president of merchandising. Her experience in this role included apparel, jewelry, accessories and home product categories. While at Wal-Mart, Watts was awarded the highest honor given at the company – the Sam M. Walton Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

She began her career in the May Company's Executive Training Program. Watts then served in senior merchandising and product roles at Paul Harris, The Limited and Lands' End. Watts, who received her bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati, was named one of Fortune magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women" in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

About QVC

QVC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the Liberty Interactive Group (Nasdaq: LINTA), is one of the largest multimedia retailers in the world. QVC is committed to providing its customers with thousands of the most innovative and contemporary beauty, fashion, jewelry and home products. Its programming is distributed to approximately 195 million homes worldwide. The company's website, QVC.com, is ranked among the top general merchant Internet sites. With operations in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy, West Chester, Pa.-based QVC has shipped more than a billion packages in its 24-year history. QVC, Q, and the Q Ribbon Logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.

SOURCE QVC, Inc.