Gilt Appoints Michelle Peluso As Chief Executive Officer

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Gilt, www.gilt.com, today announced it has appointed Michelle Peluso as Chief Executive Officer, effective the end of February 2013.  Ms. Peluso is currently the Global Consumer Chief Marketing and Internet Officer at Citigroup and has served on the Board of Directors of Gilt since October 2009.  Kevin Ryan, Gilt's Founder and current CEO will become Chairman and Susan Lyne will become Vice-Chairman.

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"I'm tremendously excited to be leading a company with a brand I love and a team I've come to greatly admire," said Peluso.  "Gilt has done a terrific job establishing itself as one of the most innovative online shopping destinations and I am looking forward to continuing to build on Gilt's growth and success."

Every day at noon EST, Gilt launches new, limited-time sales of the most sought-after products and most desirable brands in fashion, home decor and leisure. Launched in December 2007, the company is the leader in the flash-sale space and has attracted millions of loyalists by offering them special access to coveted merchandise and experiences at insider prices.

Ms. Peluso has been with Citigroup since 2009.  Prior to that, she was the Chief Executive Officer of Travelocity from 2003 to 2009 after serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Product Strategy and Distribution.  Under her leadership, Travelocity experienced a significant upturn in both revenue growth and profitability.  Ms. Peluso joined Travelocity following the company's acquisition of Site59, a travel site she created and launched in 2000.   Site59 was the leader in the US "last minute deals" arena and won numerous honors for innovation before it was acquired by Travelocity in March 2002.  Prior to leading Site59, Ms. Peluso served as a White House Fellow and Senior Advisor to Labor Secretary Alexis Herman and worked as a case leader for The Boston Consulting Group in New York and London. 

"Michelle's deep Internet experience, coupled with her operating and marketing background, made her my ideal choice to be Gilt's CEO going forward," said Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO, Gilt.  "We have worked together for three years as fellow Board members and I am thrilled she will be leading Gilt to its next level of growth and market leadership."

"We have had the opportunity to get to know Michelle as a Board member and her insight and strategic advice have been invaluable," said Susan Lyne, Chairman, Gilt.  "She has a clear vision for Gilt and the Board and I are confident in her leadership and excited about the many opportunities ahead."

Ms. Peluso has received multiple awards, including the Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Business and has been recognized by the National Italian American Foundation with a Special Achievement Award in Business.  Fast Company magazine named her a "customer-centered leader."  Most recently, she was named as one of the world's most influential CMO's according to a Forbes study conducted by Appinions.  She received her master's degree in economics, philosophy and politics from Pembroke College at Oxford University where she was a Thoroun Scholar, and her bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

About Gilt
Gilt, www.gilt.com, is an innovative online shopping destination offering its members special access to the most inspiring merchandise and experiences every day at insider prices. Gilt continually searches the world for the most coveted brands and products, including fashion for women, men, and children; home decor; artisanal ingredients; hotels and travel experiences on every continent; and unique activities in select cities and destinations. We believe that every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired.

SOURCE Gilt

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