Introducing Because of Marketing’s new page dedicated to charting the latest executive appointments and departures. From visionary CEOs and boundary-pushing Creative Directors to C-suite appointments, Because of Marketing tracks all the power shifts and movements redefining the industry landscape.
Gap Inc. Expands Leadership Team to Drive Beauty and Accessories Growth
Gap Inc. has announced new leadership appointments across two strategic categories: beauty and accessories. With the U.S. beauty and personal care market projected to reach $100 billion in 2025, the company aims to capture a share of this growth, starting with the launch of a beauty line at Old Navy, followed by an expansion into the Gap brand in 2026. A similar phased rollout will apply to accessories, leveraging the company’s existing strength in handbags, jewellery, and leather goods.
To lead these initiatives, Gap Inc. has appointed former Nordstrom beauty executive Debra Redmond as General Manager of Beauty and retail advisor Michele Parsons as General Manager of Accessories. Additionally, John Demsey, former Executive Group President at Estée Lauder, and accessories designer Reed Krakoff have joined the company as Executive Directors of Beauty and Accessories, respectively.
Pret A Manger Assigns Fast Food Executive to Increase Brand Reach
Pret A Manger has disclosed the appointment of Matthew Bresnahan as Chief Marketing Officer to bring the brand to more people. Joining from Restaurant Brands International, where he has held several senior international marketing roles across a 12-year career with the company. His prior positions focused on global brand management to building regional sales strategies for RBI’s biggest brands, Burger King and Tim Hortons.
Pret aims to leverage his experience in customer insights and analytics to design marketing initiatives that will deepen the brand’s relationship with its customers. Under his new role, Matthew will have responsibility for Pret’s global and localised marketing functions, while also overseeing product innovation, loyalty programs, customer insights, PR, and delivery channels, with enhanced focus on food and coffee innovation and value for money initiatives for customers.
Spotify Announces Leadership Evolution
Spotify declares that Founder and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, effective the first day of the new year, January 2026. The brand also announced the appointment of Gustav Söderström, co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer, and Alex Norström, co-President and Chief Business Officer, as its co-Chief Executive Officers. They will report to Daniel Ek and will also serve on the company’s Board of Directors, subject to shareholder approval. As Executive Chairman, Ek’s role will more closely reflect a European Chairman setup, where he will determine capital allocation, map the long-term future of Spotify and continue to provide support and guidance to its senior team.
McDonald’s Shares New SVP and CSO to Strengthen Competitive Edge
Fast Food Chain McDonald’s has announced their latest Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer as Emily Reasor to signal their intent to make strategy a dynamic capability, driving execution and unlocking growth. Emily will work across the business to identify new opportunities, embed strategic discipline into how the brand operates and ensure their priorities remain anchored in delivering value to customers, communities and the McDonald’s system worldwide.
Hermès’s Véronique Nichanian Steps Down As Creative Director of Menswear At After 37 Years
Hermès’s chief menswear designer, Véronique Nichanian is to step down after 37 years in charge she announced in an interview with Le Figaro on Friday. After working with the brand for 37 years she is fashions longest standing creative director with her final show commencing in January. She described her time working for the house as “37 years of creative freedom” and stated that she is leaving the house with “Joy and pride.” Her replacement is still unknown but is expected to be announced within the coming days.
Bumble Promote Neela Pal From SVP To CMO
Bumble’s SVP of global marketing has just received a promotion to CMO after joining the dating app in December 2024. In a post on LinkedIn the new CMO announced the promotion stating, “I’m energized to help shape the next chapter of the Bumble brand – reimagining what love and connection look like today, and sharing how our products help people feel seen, safe, and supported.”
Molson Coors Beverages Announce Michelle St Jacques CMO is Exiting The Business After 6 Years
The former CMO is set to leave the business on the 14th November after spending the last 18 months as its commercial lead. She has worked with Molson Coors’ for 6 years after previously working at Kraft Heinz and Unilever. The news comes two weeks after the brand announced their new CEO Rahul Goyal to take the reins from Gavin Hattersley.
Geico Unveil Adrianna Orpello as CMO
Orpello most recently served as global chief brand officer at Goldman Sachs and is set to join the insurer January 5th, filling the role that has been vacant since Damon Burrel left the company in January. She will report to the brand’s chairman and CEO President Todd Combs who noted her, “extensive leadership experience in the financial services sector” as an expected driver of marketing success.
