Richard Teyssier Appointed as PUMA New Global Brand & Marketing Director
As part of the implementation of its strategic priorities, German sports company PUMA is reorganizing the global Marketing Organization. The decision lays the organizational foundation for further elevating the PUMA brand, one of the company’s three strategic priorities. Going-forward PUMA’s Global Marketing Organization will be based at the company’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany to improve alignment and accelerate decision-making with the company’s Global Business Units, Global Go-To-Market function, and Creative Direction. This involves the relocation of the Brand Management and Marketing Operations departments from Boston to Herzogenaurach, effective July 1. At the same time, the marketing organization of PUMA North America will be further strengthened by the assignment of responsibilities for local sports marketing and local partnership management in order to elevate the brand in the US market.
“PUMA’s brand is at the heart of our company’s success,” said Arne Freundt, CEO of PUMA. “Yet, our analyses clearly show that PUMA has significant opportunities to leverage the full potential of its brand. This is why relentlessly elevating our brand is one of our key strategic priorities. With the Global Marketing Organization being based in proximity to our key central functions at the HQ, we will lay the organizational foundation for this. It will ensure brand consistency and speed up decision-making to further strengthen the PUMA brand and it will make us even more consumer-centric. With the new setup, we will be able to drive more impactful campaigns to further establish our brand in the minds of our consumers.”
In the context of the reorganization, PUMA’s Global Chief Brand Officer Adam Petrick has decided to not transition to Herzogenaurach, but to pursue new challenges outside of PUMA, after over two decades with the brand. He will be with the company until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
PUMA’s Regional General Manager Europe Richard Teyssier will lead the Global Marketing Organization as Global Brand & Marketing Director, effective 1 July 2023. In this role, he will report directly to PUMA CEO Arne Freundt. Richard has broad expertise in brand management and marketing after 17 years in leading Marketing functions at Mars Inc., where he was responsible for some of the company’s most iconic brands, such as M&Ms and TWIX in France prior to joining PUMA in 2010. At PUMA, Richard had been General Manager for the French market until 2021 before assuming responsibility for Central Europe, France, UK & Ireland, Southern Europe, Northern Europe across all channels. He will continue to lead Europe Region until his successor is announced.
“I would like to thank Adam Petrick for his significant contribution to PUMA’s success during his more than 20-year-tenure with PUMA,” said Arne Freundt. “With Richard Teyssier, we have found the ideal candidate to drive PUMA’s brand elevation strategy in the future. He is not only a true marketing specialist who comes with a strong expertise in brand management. He is also an integral part of our PUMA family and knows the business inside out from his more than 12 years of general management at PUMA France and PUMA Europe.”
Stitch Fix announces appointment of Matt Baer as Chief Executive Office
Stitch Fix, Inc. announced that Matt Baer, former Chief Customer & Digital Officer at Macy’s, Inc., has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, effective June 26, 2023. Founder, interim CEO and Executive Chairperson of the Board Katrina Lake will work closely with Baer as he transitions into his role. Lake will continue on in her role as Executive Chairperson of the Board.
“I’m incredibly excited to join Stitch Fix as CEO. As someone with retail in my DNA, I’ve long admired what Katrina has built with Stitch Fix – fusing AI with stylists to offer the most convenient shopping experience out there today,” said Baer. “People are looking for a better way to look and feel great. Stitch Fix is uniquely positioned to deliver that for them. I look forward to working with the talented team at Stitch Fix and leveraging my years of experience building and scaling retail businesses to deliver a sustained future of profitable growth.”
“When I returned to Stitch Fix as interim CEO in January this year, I was committed to finding an inspiring leader with a track record of excellent execution, passion for our mission and a clear dedication to serving our clients. As we’ve gotten to know Matt, I, our board of directors and our management team were all impressed by his experience across all areas of retail businesses and his ability to identify the interconnected opportunities to positively impact the experience of our clients in the short term, while inspiring our teams to deliver an impactful vision for the future,” said Katrina Lake, interim CEO, Stitch Fix. “With Matt as our CEO, alongside our experienced management team, and with the continued commitment, passion and expertise of the whole Stitch Fix team, I’m confident we can continue to build on our significant competitive advantage in leveraging data and stylists to deliver the most personal experience in the industry and drive growth for the future.”
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Katrina for her leadership as interim CEO during this pivotal time and for the care and commitment she brought to the search for Stitch Fix’s next CEO. We share her confidence in Matt’s ability to lead Stitch Fix as it continues to deliver personal styling at scale and write the future of apparel retail,” added Sharon McCollam, Stitch Fix Lead Independent Director. “We’re thrilled to continue working alongside Katrina in her capacity as Executive Chairperson of Stitch Fix’s Board of Directors.”
Previously, Matt Baer was Chief Customer & Digital Officer at Macy’s, Inc., where he was responsible for the growth and strategic long-term vision of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s digital businesses, as well as Macy’s strategy and programs to create deeper, more enduring relationships with customers. During his time at Macy’s, he delivered material digital growth (FY22 +31% to FY19) and launched or scaled a number of impactful initiatives, including a third-party marketplace, Macy’s Media Network, a modern redesign of macys.com and the Macy’s mobile app, Macy’s Live — livestream shopping, Own Your Style brand platform, an improved Macy’s Style Crew, Curbside Pickup, Same Day Delivery, and the creation of the Enterprise Data & Analytics function.
Prior to joining Macy’s, Baer was Vice President of eCommerce at Walmart.com, where he helped lead the transformation and scaling of Walmart’s digital business. Before joining Walmart, he founded a digital marketplace, held executive positions at two retail startups and practiced complex commercial litigation. Earlier in his career, Baer worked across all functions of a family retail business.
Daniel W. Fletcher Steps Down as Fiorucci’s Creative Director
Daniel W. Fletcher will leave his role as Fiorucci’s menswear artistic director at the end of June to focus on his own collection. His last collection for Fiorucci will be Resort 2024.
“I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together during my time here and have had so much fun along the way. It has been an honor to contribute to this brand that has such a rich history, and I wish Fiorucci all the best for the future,” – Daniel W. Fletcher.
Fendi Announced Nicholas Galitzine as First Global Menswear Ambassador
Fendi is proud to launch its first ever worldwide Men’s campaign featuring actor Nicholas Galitzine as the house’s first global menswear ambassador.
Nicholas stars in the Fendi Men’s Fall/Winter 2023-24 campaign, under the creative direction of multifaceted Italian artist Nico Vascellari, wearing the collection designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi.
Wolverine Worldwide Appoints Melissa Mullen as Sweaty Betty Global Brand President
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) announced the appointment of Melissa Mullen as Global Brand President of Sweaty Betty, a premium women’s activewear brand acquired in August 2021.
Mullen, a seasoned consumer-focused and omnichannel retail leader, brings a wealth of experience from various senior executive roles with global fashion, athletic, and footwear brands. She most recently served since 2019 as Vice President and General Manager of UK and Ireland for Jo Malone London, a British lifestyle brand owned by the Estée Lauder Companies. She was responsible for all commercial operations in these two key markets, including stores, eCommerce, and wholesale.
Prior to joining Jo Malone London, Ms. Mullen worked at Nike for more than eight years in a variety of eCommerce and merchandising roles across Europe, Asia, and North America. These included serving as Senior Director of Nike Direct Retail in the UK and Ireland, and as Senior Director of Nike.com Global Expansion.
Ms. Mullen will report to Isabel Soriano, President of Wolverine Worldwide’s London-based International Group, closely aligning the brand with the Company’s other international businesses and enabling the teams to leverage strengths and resources across functions. She succeeds Julia Straus, who as previously announced is returning to the United States with her family.
“Melissa’s proven track record with consumer-obsessed global athletic and fashion brands makes her the ideal leader to help propel Sweaty Betty forward, and I’m extremely excited to welcome her as its next Global Brand President,” said Ms. Soriano. “Her deep omnichannel experience and industry knowledge will help position the brand for long-term success.”
“Wolverine Worldwide’s strategy includes focusing our efforts and investments on Sweaty Betty and other key brands within our portfolio,” said Brendan Hoffman, Wolverine Worldwide’s Chief Executive Officer. “I’m confident Melissa will help unlock Sweaty Betty’s global growth potential and forge even stronger connections with its consumers around the world.”
“When the opportunity arose to lead Sweaty Betty, a brand rooted in purpose and deep consumer connections, I knew I had to be part of the next chapter of its story,” said Ms. Mullen. “I look forward to working with this incredible team to grow our business and support our mission to empower women around the world through fitness and beyond.”
Villa Eugénie Appoints Sandrine Guétin Deputy General Manager
Villa Eugénie appoints Sandrine Guétin as deputy general manager.
Alongside Étienne Russo, CEO, founder, and artistic director, Sandrine Guétin is responsible for the strategic development of Villa Eugénie in all markets.
Her proven experience in the technology, fashion, luxury and hospitality sectors and across multiple geographies, with a specific focus on growth, transformation and people strategy, will help Villa Eugénie to increase its potential in all regions.
Throughout her career, Sandrine has held senior management positions of increasing responsibility in business development and human resources. Most recently she held the position of SVP HR for all of the Accor Group’s topline, brand, technology and digital and was previously working for Louis Vuitton and Swarovski.
Coco Fong & Valerio Bava Newly Appointed Co-Creative Directors of Malone Souliers
Mary Alice Malone announced Coco Fong and Valerio Bava as the newly appointed Co-Creative Directors of Malone Souliers.
The dynamic duo, who have long been integral members of her Design team, will be working together to build upon our existing distinctive aesthetic; whilst also expressing a joint vision that aims to propel the brand forward into exciting new territory.
Mary Alice Malone, formerly Creative Director, will assume the new title of Founder & Chief Brand Director. Her focus will be on strategic planning, creative business growth and new markets expansion.
Commenting on Coco and Valerio’s appointment, Mary Alice says: “It is a joy to work with Coco and Valerio. Over the past few years of mentoring them, I have seen their incredible talents strengthen and grow. They have long been my sounding boards, sharing the same appreciation for beautifully crafted, exceptionally designed shoes and I am delighted to see them move into this newly created joint role – a promotion they have both truly earned.”
ENHYPEN Appointed Prada Ambassadors
Newly Appointed Prada Ambassadors Enhypen – K-pop stars Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo and Ni-Ki – wear Prada in a recent issue of Elle Man Korea. (The editorial was photographed by Yoon Jiyong and directed by Bang Hokwang.)
“We’re delighted and honored to be a part of this partnership as new brand ambassadors of Prada. The synergy Prada and Enhypen will create is something we’re very excited to witness and greatly looking forward to,” Enhypen said in a statement.
Vegamour Appoints Robert Schaeffler New CEO, Cofounder Daniel Hodgdon Steps Down
Dan Hodgdon, cofounder of the hair care company in 2016 with Christina Zeigler, is ending his role as chief executive officer. The company’s board appointed Robert Schaeffler as new CEO.
“Today we announced that I will be stepping back from the day-to-day business, continuing on the Board of Directors and as senior advisor to the Brand. Robert Schaeffler will be the company’s new CEO. Having joined the company last year and with his deep expertise, I am certain that under Robert’s dynamic leadership Vegamour will continue to shape the industry with our holistic hair wellness products.” – Dan Hodgdon
KCD NY Announced New Hires Shawn Buchanan, Jill Meisner, Adam Douglas
Shawn Buchanan has joined KCD as Vice President, Media Relations. Shawn will be supporting the following accounts: Bonobos, Disney, Puma, Cartier, and Laquan Smith.
Jill Meisner has joined KCD as Vice President, Media Relations. Jill will be supporting the following accounts: Givenchy, Fendi, Neiman Marcus, and Bucherer.
Adam Douglas has joined KCD as Senior Director, Media Relations. Adam will be supporting the following accounts: CFDA, Cartier, LoveshackFancy, and Disney.