John Costello to Head Up Sears Advertising

CHICAGO – John Costello, 45, was named senior executive vp/general manager of marketing for Sears, Roebuck & Co.’s Merchandise Group. Costello, who was president and coo of Nielsen Marketing Research, will be responsible for all of Sears’ marketing and buying services including advertising. He had also been at Wells Rich Greene BDDP/N.Y. for two years in the 1980s. He replaces Matt Howard, senior vp/marketing, who accepted the early retirement incentive program. Sears put its $25-million apparel advertising up for review last month, and is talking to five agencies: incumbent Ogilvy & Mather, Saatchi & Saatchi/N.Y.,