BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Stephen Quinn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Wal-Mart US plans to retire effective Jan. 31, 2016 after a 10-year career with the company. Michael Francis, former CMO for Target Corp., will join Walmart as a consultant effective Jan. 1, the company confirmed. 

Stephen Quinn, CMO for Walmart

Quinn joined the company in 2005 as senior vice president of marketing. He was promoted to his current position in 2007. 

“Stephen has always advocated on behalf of our customers and has built a strong team that delivers our message to them in compelling ways,” said Deisha Barnett, Walmart spokeswoman. “With responsibility for all aspects of our marketing efforts, including customer research, strategy, program development, branding and customer communication, he and his team have represented the voice of the customer. 

Michael Francis, Walmart consultant

“In 2008, he led our rebranding effort, including the introduction of our logo and tagline —‘Save money. Live better.’ Other highlights from Stephen’s Walmart career include a number of award-winning advertising campaigns, Walmart’s stronger focus on reaching multicultural customers, and a digital transformation in our marketing efforts, including partnerships with Facebook, YouTube and others,” she said. 

Francis spent more than 20 years at Target before he left to become president of J.C. Penney Co. Currently, he is CMO of DreamWorks Animation.