Chico’s hires an apparel veteran as its head of marketing

Chico’s FAS Inc., a multichannel retailer of women’s apparel and accessories, has hired Celia Rao Visconti as senior vice president of marketing. She reports to Cinny Murray, brand president of Chico’s.

Chico’s is No. 190 on the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.

Rao Visconti comes from New York & Co. Inc. She was executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the women’s apparel retailer, No. 257 in The Top 500 Guide. She also worked as senior vice president of marketing and communications for Andrew Marc Inc., and held marketing jobs with Tommy Hilfiger USA and Giorgio Armani.

“As we move the Chico's brand forward and increase our presence in the market, we continue to develop innovative marketing initiatives to further connect with our consumer," says Murray.  "Celia's extensive background in retail marketing will play an integral role in this strategy and we are thrilled to have her on board."

Jenn McClain, Chico’s director of e-commerce marketing, will speak at the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition 2011 in a session entitled “Discovering, defining and reaching hidden market segments.”