Gap's Bold Move: Why This Entertainment Exec's Appointment Could Change Everything! Under Armour's Shocking C-Suite Shakeup Revealed!

Gabriela Hearst, the acclaimed New York City-based designer, is making waves with a significant leadership change as she appoints Michele Cohen as the brand's new president. This role has been "newly defined to reflect the brand’s continued commercial momentum and global growth," according to a statement from the company. Cohen, who has been with Gabriela Hearst since 2015 as the global head of sales, will now lead the global commercial strategy. Her responsibilities will include overseeing wholesale, retail, and e-commerce, with a particular focus on expanding the brand’s reach across various markets, channels, and categories.

In a market increasingly driven by e-commerce, Cohen’s appointment signifies a strategic move for Gabriela Hearst, whose luxury offerings have gained a loyal following for their commitment to sustainability and ethical production. By enhancing its commercial strategy, the brand aims to solidify its standing in an ever-competitive fashion landscape.

In a different sector, heritage-brand house Gap Inc. has also embraced innovation by creating a new role aimed at bridging fashion and entertainment. They appointed Pam Kaufman as executive vice president and chief entertainment officer, effective February 2. Kaufman will spearhead the group’s strategy for its "fashiontainment" creator affiliate and advocacy platform, intending to leverage relationships within the entertainment industry to amplify brand partnerships. This role is particularly aimed at connecting Gap Inc. with influential players in entertainment and licensing, further embedding the company within the entertainment ecosystem.

As part of this strategy, Gap Inc. plans to establish a new office in Los Angeles this spring, emphasizing its commitment to deepening its connections within the entertainment industry. Kaufman’s background is impressive; she previously served as the president and CEO of international markets, global consumer products, and experiences at Paramount, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar organization that spanned over 170 markets. Her insights are expected to drive impactful collaborations for Gap Inc.

Meanwhile, in the athletic apparel sector, Puma has made notable appointments as well, bringing on Nadia Kokni as vice president of global brand marketing and Anne Putz as senior director of corporate communications. Kokni will join Puma’s global leadership team and report directly to chief brand officer Maria Valdes, while Putz will lead both external and internal corporate communications, serving as the company's spokesperson and reporting to CEO Arthur Hoeld.

In a related shakeup, Under Armour has announced a series of senior leadership changes effective February 2. Kara Trent has been promoted to chief merchandising officer, where she will oversee category management and go-to-market initiatives. Additionally, Adam Peake has been appointed as the president of the Americas, responsible for leading business operations across North and South America, which includes marketplace strategy and omni-channel growth. The company also announced that chief product officer Yassine Saidi will transition to a senior advisor role, focusing on design expression and creative continuity.

In the tech landscape, checkout technology company Bolt is also making strategic hires, appointing Olta Andoni as senior vice president of legal and people. As Bolt expands its operations across checkout, identity, and payments—including ventures into crypto-enabled commerce—Andoni will oversee Bolt’s people operations, aligning hiring processes with the company's product roadmap and operational goals.

The commerce media company Nift has also made headlines by appointing former Yahoo executive John McNerney as general manager for the Asia-Pacific region. Based in Sydney, he will spearhead efforts to launch and scale Nift’s platform across Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific markets.

Lastly, as the tech industry continues to evolve, Radar, a firm specializing in RFID and AI technology to track and locate store inventory, has announced several leadership changes to support its global growth. Jonathan Aitken joins as senior vice president of the RFID Center of Excellence, bringing over 20 years of experience in retail technology. Additionally, Morgan Levine has been promoted to senior vice president of corporate operations, overseeing legal and strategic operations for the company.

Didier Michaud-Daniel, with an extensive background in risk management, has been named chair of the board of directors at global risk management partner LRQA. His experience, which includes serving as CEO of Bureau Veritas for 11 years, is expected to guide LRQA’s strategic direction and corporate governance.

These appointments across diverse sectors highlight a broader trend in business: the need for innovative leadership that can navigate a rapidly changing environment. As brands strive for growth and relevance in a competitive marketplace, these strategic roles are not just about filling positions but redefining what leadership looks like in today’s business landscape.

You might also like:

Go up