Elisabeth Charles Joins PETCO as Chief Marketing Officer

Elisabeth Charles, a marketing executive with extensive experience in the retail and food-and-beverage industries, has joined PETCO in the new role of Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, the company announced today. She will lead the marketing, advertising and e-commerce activities for PETCO, a pet specialty retail leader with more than 950 stores across the United States.

San Diego, CA (Vocus) February 25, 2009 -- Elisabeth Charles, a marketing executive with extensive experience in the retail and food-and-beverage industries, has joined PETCO (www.petco.com) in the new role of Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, the company announced today. She will lead the marketing, advertising and e-commerce activities for PETCO, a pet specialty retail (www.petco.com) leader with more than 950 stores across the United States.

"Elisabeth is an outstanding leader and experienced marketer with a demonstrated ability to drive and promote successful brands," said Dave Bolen, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer. "We're thrilled to welcome Elisabeth to PETCO. We know she'll be a great addition to our team."

Charles reports to Bolen and is based at PETCO's National Support Center in San Diego, where the company was formed in 1965.

"I'm very excited to join the PETCO team and become part of a company with such passionate customers," said Charles.

Before joining PETCO, Charles most recently served as Executive Vice President of Marketing for Victoria's Secret Stores, a $3.5 billion, 1,000-store retailer. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Marketing for Herbalife International, and also held senior marketing roles at Ideaforest.com, YUM! Brands, and PEPSICO, Inc. She began her career as an associate consultant with Bain & Company.

Charles earned a bachelor's degree in political economy from the University of California-Berkeley and a master's degree from Harvard Business School.

About PETCO:

PETCO (www.petco.com) is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 950 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $49 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, we work with and support approximately 5,700 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

Contact:     

Lisa Epstein

PETCO

858.453-7845, ext. 2558

lisae (at) petco (dot) com

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