Fluent Names former Rite Aid, Barnes & Noble, and JCPenney leader Jeanniey Walden as Chief Marketing Officer
Fluent, a provider of commerce media solutions, has announced the appointment of Jeanniey Walden as Chief Marketing Officer.
"Jeanniey understands our customers because she has been one of them," says Don Patrick, CEO at Fluent. "She has spent her career building brands, leading commerce media transformation and navigating many of the commerce media challenges our clients are confronting today. Having that perspective inside Fluent - as we accelerate our growth and our position as a leader in commerce media - will be incredibly valuable, not only to our own business, but to the brands we serve."
Walden brings more than three decades of experience spanning marketing, commerce, digital transformation and business growth. Her career includes leadership roles with Rite Aid and Thrifty Ice Cream, Barnes & Noble, JCPenney, Mercer and DailyPay. Most recently, she founded Liftoff Enterprises, where she has advised business leaders on brand, growth, and trust, while hosting the nationally broadcast show Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden and its companion podcast, Liftoff Journeys.
Prior to joining Fluent's executive team, Walden served on the company's board of advisors, helping shape its strategy around commerce media, customer experience and growth.
"The future of media requires a fine balance between bottom line results and outstanding customer experiences,” says Walden. “Fluent is one of those companies who have proven they know how to partner with brands and advertisers to deliver on this challenge. Poised to lead as shifts in commerce media continue, Fluent leverages deterministic data, social selling and post-transaction experiences in a powerful way. The time is now to capitalise on the opportunity to lead the next wave of commerce media.”
Fluent’s customers include CVS, Dick's Sporting Goods, Bath & Body Works, Walmart, and Wyndham.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Commerce media will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
