Ketchum author James Peters

Ketchum clients have trusted this communications leader for strategic and creative counsel since 2004 when he joined Ketchum. Today, as partner, managing director and portfolio leader, Peters leverages his 27 years of public relations experience in the ever-evolving retail sector by working with client teams to drive feet to store (brick and mortar) and clicks to sites (e-tail). Engagement ranging from product and brand launches, media relations, franchisee & employee engagement, store openings, corporate reputation & crisis management and path-to-purchase messaging.

Peters is a retail expert, having collaborated on projects in grocery, food service and dining, QSR, general merchandise stores, convenience and gas stations, home improvement, health and personal care, electronics and e-commerce.

Peters is a self-acclaimed barbeque connoisseur and chef. He and his wife do their best to raise their teens in Dallas, along with a wily five-year-old Catahoula hound dog.

Posts: James Peters

Image of sweater with I Voted sticker.

My Kids Are Voting for the First Time—Here’s What I Told Them

by James Peters | October 22, 2020

In a few weeks, two of my four children will be participating in a U.S. presidential election for the first time. Like most families around the globe, we’ve had more togetherness than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and politics has been a bigger topic of conversation at our house this year than in the […]

How Retail Comms Can (Really) Engage Consumers This Holiday Season

How Retail Comms Can (Really) Engage Consumers This Holiday Season

by James Peters and Abby Lovett | August 18, 2020

Throw your tried-and-true holiday promotion and communications plans out the window. Successful programs that worked in past years won’t do in 2020. But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water: There remains ample opportunity to engage if done carefully and considerately. In fact, retailers might find a silver lining in data that suggests […]

Reopening Is a Golden Opportunity for Grocers 

Reopening Is a Golden Opportunity for Grocers 

by James Peters | June 17, 2020

I have a confession to make: When I go shopping, I drive past one grocery store to get to the one I prefer. During the global pandemic, I’ve gone from delivery to curbside pickup to venturing back in-store as I like to choose my own grapefruits, green beans and cuts of meat.   Between virus anxiety, an increased focus on well-being, navigating shortages and changing our buying […]

NRF Highlights: Retailers are Focusing on Employees and Purpose…Are You?

NRF Highlights: Retailers are Focusing on Employees and Purpose…Are You?

by James Peters | January 17, 2020

The 2020 NRF: Retail’s Big Show was wall-to-wall technology. From a spill-seeking robot that patrols grocery store aisles to vision-recognition systems for self-checkout, it’s clear artificial intelligence and other technologies are enabling retailers to streamline operations and improve customer experience.   But looking past the headline-grabbing tech, one of the biggest trends during the three-day […]

NRF 2020

Follow These Three Trends with Me at NRF 2020

by James Peters | January 9, 2020

“2020 Vision” is this year’s theme for NRF: Retail’s Big Show, the annual industry event that will convene in New York this Sunday. From augmented reality to artificial intelligence, and all points in between, retail is swirling with potentially game-changing trends which brands must explore in the never-ending quest to attract and retain the customer. […]

2020 Retail Trends

Infographic: CPG and Retail Trends

by James Peters | December 19, 2019

How are you going to compete next week and next year? To find out, take a look at Ketchum’s 2020 CPG and Retail trends infographic, where we’ve highlighted the can’t-miss trends we see coming your way. It’s a must-read if you want to engage people and create memorable experiences to drive sales in 2020. Best […]