PG Sister Store Brands Gets New Management

Store Brands, a sister brand of Progressive Grocer, has named Kevin Francella and Larry Aylward as brand director and editor-in-chief, respectively.

Francella brings years of retail and business-to-business media experience to his role. Before joining Store Brands, he spent 16 years as publisher and editorial director of Beverage World, where he expanded the brand's global presence and developed alternative revenue streams.

Aylward has years of experience in writing, editorial management, public speaking, research and media strategy. He most recently served as editor-in-chief of Grand View Media's Superintendent magazine, which covers golf course management, and, prior to that, held senior editorial positions at Meat & Poultry and Meat Marketing & Technology magazines.

“The store brands industry is booming throughout retail, and the upside potential for Store Brands’ print, digital and event products is tremendous,” noted Peter Hoyt, CEO and president of EnsembleIQ, Progressive Grocer and Store Brands' parent company. “The addition of such a seasoned and accomplished leader as Kevin at this time is an exciting prospect, and we definitely look forward to having Larry take Store Brands’ editorial content to the next level.”