Australia-based QSIC has tapped former Epsilon Retail Media CEO of the Americas David Haase to lead its U.S. operations as president. The company also named Artem Lavrinovich, an in-store retail media veteran, as its new chief data and AI officer to help accelerate its AI tools and capabilities.

Australia-based QSIC is a global in-store audio platform that uses AI audio and data intelligence to help retailers and brands unlock the value of the in-store experience. It has a key North America office in Dallas.

QSIC co-founder and CEO Matt Elsley said retail media is still outperforming — and that in-store is the next big growth opportunity for the channel.

He said the company plans to expand into new markets and roll out new technology, adding that leaders like David and Artem bring the know-how to help QSIC scale with people who’ve built retail media businesses before.

“Their experience will be essential as we push the boundaries of what in-store technology can do and accelerate innovation to deliver even better results for our partners,” Elsley said.

QSIC said it is on track for a record year following a successful $25 million funding raise earlier this year.

The company is on track to power Gulp Radio, 7-Eleven’s commercial radio network that spans across the United States, in 12,000 stores by the end of the year.

Over the past year, QSIC said it grew its team with several key leaders, won numerous innovation awards, and expanded its partnership with Irving-based 7-Eleven. The company is on track to power Gulp Radio, 7-Eleven’s commercial radio network that spans across the United States, in 12,000 stores by the end of the year.

‘The next frontier of retail media’

Haase brings more than 25 years of experience in scaling high-growth businesses and driving retail digital transformation to his new role. He has held senior leadership roles at Triad Retail Media and The Mars Agency, among others.

Most recently, Haase served as CEO of the Americas at CitrusAd (now, Epsilon Retail Media), where he played a key role in the company’s acquisition by Publicis Groupe’s Epsilon.

“In-store is the next frontier of retail media, and QSIC is one of the few companies getting it right,” Haase said in a statement. “They’ve built real momentum, and I’m excited to join the team at a critical time to help take that to the next level.”

Global data and AI strategy

QSIC said that Lavrinovich comes to the company from CoolerX, and its spin-off venture RPM Labs, where he helped develop advanced retail media capabilities.

He also held a customer service and data science role at Amazon, where he led strategy, innovation and execution across multiple customer engagement and demand levers. At dunnhumby, the world’s first customer data science platform, Lavrinovich was responsible for advancing pricing, promotions, assortment and marketing strategies for top retailers including Kroger, Best Buy, and Macy’s, QSIC said.

As the company’s first chief data and AI officer, Lavrinovich will oversee QSIC’s global data and AI strategy, directing efforts to deliver intelligent, personalized, and automated experiences backed by measurable results.

Lavrinovich said QSIC is working to solve two major pain points for in-store retail media — measurability and friction — while using audio to improve the shopper experience.

He called audio “a largely untapped” channel with huge potential in stores, especially when paired with AI to help retailers create more engaging and personalized interactions.

“The opportunity to join a team at the forefront of innovation drew me here, and we’re just getting started with what’s possible,” Lavrinovich said.

Focus on global growth

QSIC said that as part of its global expansion strategy, Lachlan Gow, the current president overseeing operations in North America, will transition to lead its growth across EMEA. During his time in the U.S., Gow played a key role in securing major partnerships that helped establish QSIC as a leading player in the market.

QSIC’s clients include global retailers in fuel and convenience, grocery, liquor, hospitality, fashion, and specialty retail.

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