News Briefs

KRAFT FOODS:

CEO Roger Deromedi will return to work May 10 after being hospitalized suddenly on March 27 (April 6 Xtra). Deromedi was diagnosed with a viral infection and acute dehydration. Chairman Louis Camilleri handles Deromedi's duties until his return.

NAPSTER: a division of Roxio, Inc., has hired Brand Central LLC as its exclusive U.S. licensing agency, taking its globally recognized brand and kittyhead logo into the world of licensing.

GADZOOKS: the casual female teen clothing retailer, has named Carol Greer president and CMO on a permanent basis. Greer has served in the position on an interim basis since February.

FOSSIL: has completed the acquisition of Miami-based Tempus International Corp. for approximately $50 million in cash. Tempus manufactures, markets and distributes watches under the MW and MW Michele brand labels. Tempus will continue to be run by president Jack Barouh from its offices in Miami, Florida and Geneva, Switzerland.

HARDEE'S: is featuring home-run hitter Mark McGwire in its new TV spot. The new ad, which began airing yesterday, features McGwire eating a Hardee's Thickburger. The spot was created by Hardee's Los Angeles-based ad agency, Mendelsohn/Zien Advertising. In addition to the commercial, Hardee's will join the St. Louis Cardinals in celebrating McGwire's career in St. Louis on Mark McGwire Tribute Day at Busch Stadium on April 17.

WONDERGROUP: Cincinnati, named Mark Smith VP-creative director, a new post at the promotion division of the kids' marketing agency. He had been VP-executive creative director for CoActive Marketing Group, Cincinnati.

NARMS: The National Association for Retail Marketing Services, Plover, WI, will add a new division for food brokers. The NARMS' North American Independent Food Brokers Division launches May 1 at the Independent Food Brokers Conference in Chicago. This is the association's seventh division; others serve NARMS' 375 member companies in merchandising services; event marketing and demonstrations; installation; and mystery shopping and auditing as well as manufacturers and manufacturer representatives.