AllianceBernstein is embracing the alts niche with a newly created position.

The $447 billion asset giant has hired Christine Johnson to serve as its senior vice president—Head of Alternatives Product Management.

The role is newly created. Johnson will work with AB senior investment and distribution executives to drive the growth of the firm's alts business.

According to the company, her primary responsibilities will be to shape a strategic vision and brand for the platform, focus the team on key business opportunities, and partner with distribution channels to position products and support client engagement.

She will report to Steven Eisenberg, chief operating officer for AB's Global Client Group and Head of Marketing and Client Service.

Johnson comes to AB from Deutsche Asset Management, where she was most recently Head of Retirement and Multi-Asset for the Global Client Group's Americas region. She had previously served as the firm's Director of Alternative and Asset Allocation Strategy.

AllianceBernstein has been steadily building up its infrastructure, hiring four product and marketing specialists globally in the past year to service retail and institutional clients. Today, the firm manages approximately $13 billion in alternatives assets via a range of strategies and capabilities that span asset classes and liquidity profiles.

Here is the press release:

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Company Press Release

Christine Johnson Joins AllianceBernstein as Head of Alternatives Product Management

Newly created senior role and fourth new hire for AllianceBernstein's alternatives team in past year to meet rapidly growing client demand for its diverse offerings

NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2013 -- AllianceBernstein L.P. (AllianceBernstein), a global investment management firm with $447 billion in assets under management, announced today that Christine Johnson has joined the firm as Senior Vice President—Head of Alternatives Product Management.

In this newly created role, Johnson will join AllianceBernstein's growing alternatives team and collaborate with senior investment and distribution executives to drive the growth of the firm's alternatives business. Her primary responsibilities will be to shape a strategic vision and brand for the platform, focus the team on key business opportunities, and partner with distribution channels to position products and support client engagement. Johnson will report to Steven Eisenberg, Chief Operating Officer for AllianceBernstein's Global Client Group and Head of Marketing and Client Service.

"Clients are increasingly asking for more specialized expertise to help them better understand how alternatives may fit into their portfolios. So we've focused on bringing in seasoned talent with unique insights and experience in this area," said Eisenberg. "With two decades of working with clients to understand and utilize alternatives, and deep knowledge of product management and marketing, Christine fits the bill perfectly, and will be invaluable in helping us enhance the client experience here and grow our capabilities."

Johnson joins AllianceBernstein from Deutsche Asset Management, where she was most recently Head of Retirement and Multi-Asset for the Global Client Group's Americas region and previously served as the Director of Alternative and Asset Allocation Strategy for that firm. Prior to that, she was Vice President of the Asset Consulting Group at Bankers Trust Company. Johnson holds a bachelor's degree from Pace University and a Master's of Business Association from Fordham University. She is a CFA Charterholder.

Building Out Sales and Marketing Specialists to Support Alternatives Business

AllianceBernstein has built out support for its alternatives business by adding four product and marketing specialists globally in the last year to service retail and institutional clients. Today, the firm manages approximately $13 billion in alternatives assets and offers a range of strategies and capabilities that span asset classes and liquidity profiles. These offerings include multi-manager strategies, proprietary hedge funds, real-estate strategies and a full suite of liquid alternative funds, many with three-year track records.

In addition to developing in-house alternatives offerings, AllianceBernstein has grown its platform by buying and partnering with proven outside managers. In 2011, the firm hired veteran alternative fund manager Kurt Feuerman and his team from Caxton Associates, a leading New York-based hedge fund. Last year, AllianceBernstein launched a mutual fund of Feuerman's flagship strategy, Select US Long/Short (ASYLX). The strategy is available to institutional clients as separate accounts, and to both institutional and retail clients as Luxembourg-based UCITS funds and US retail 40-Act funds.

About AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals and private clients in major world markets.

At September 30, 2013, AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. owned approximately 34.8% of the issued and outstanding AllianceBernstein Units and AXA, one of the largest global financial services organizations, owned an approximate 64.6% economic interest in AllianceBernstein.

Additional information about AllianceBernstein may be found on our internet site,www.alliancebernstein.com.  

 

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