Today, at NRF, First Insight, Inc. announced that Mark A. Cohen has joined its Board of Advisors. Cohen is
currently a professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.
First Insight, a Pittsburgh based company, is recognized as the leader in using consumer-based predictive analytics to guide merchants to better preseason decisions. Through Web 2.0 predictive analytics that connect social networks to merchandise planning, First Insight gives merchants forward-looking preseason insight into what consumers want. Its customers make successful new item introduction a repeatable, predictable, and scalable outcome.
“We are very excited by Mark’s decision to join our Board of Advisors,” commented Greg Petro, principle founder and CEO of First Insight. “I’ve known Mark for over 15 years. He has a proven track record of executive leadership and bringing innovation to fashion, specialty, mass channel, and department store retail. His business insights are a welcome addition to our board.”
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to join the First Insight Board of Advisors,” said Cohen. “Never before have the ‘fact based’ product and merchandising decision making techniques that are being pioneered by First Insight been more in demand.”
Cohen has well over 20 years experience in President/Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-level positions. Most recently he was Chairman/CEO of Sears Canada Inc.; Chief Marketing Officer and President of Softlines of Sears Roebuck & Co.; Chairman/CEO of Bradlees Inc.; and Chairman/CEO of Lazarus Department Stores. He has also held positions with Abraham & Strauss, The Gap, Lord Taylor, Mervyn’s and Goldsmith's Department Stores. He is also a Global Financial Consultant with Financo Inc., an investment banking organization specializing in retailing and manufacturing.
Cohen received his BS EE degree from Columbia University in 1969 and his MBA from the same school in 1971. He joined the faculty of Columbia University Graduate School of Business in 2006.
