Published: February 01, 2011
Gap Inc. Announces Major Changes at Gap Brand
SAN FRANCISCO - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today announced a series of significant management
and organizational changes at Gap brand designed to drive more
consistent results in North America and to provide a new and dynamic
creative leadership structure that will deliver sustainable global
growth. The changes are effective immediately.
"I expect more from our Gap business in North America," said Glenn
Murphy, chairman and CEO of Gap Inc. "The changes we're making are
intended to propel the brand to deliver the product and brand
experiences our customers demand worldwide."
"New York will now serve as the global epicenter for creativity for Gap
brand, which is exactly what we need to compete effectively here at home
and internationally. This move will allow us to build upon the momentum
demonstrated by our successful store openings in China and Italy."
Art Peck, the leader responsible for growing the company's
highly-profitable Outlet business for the past three years, will take on
the role of president of Gap North America. During his six years with
Gap Inc., Peck has been a primary architect of the company's franchise
business and international growth platform. Peck is known equally for
his impressive business results and engaging leadership style.
Pam Wallack, the current president of Gap Adult North America, will
become head of Gap's new Global Creative Center. As part of this role,
Pam will move from San Francisco to New York to centralize creative
resources, including design, marketing, fashion public relations, and
production. She'll work closely with the company's divisional presidents
based in London, Tokyo, Shanghai, and San Francisco. The global design
team, led by Patrick Robinson in Adult and Jennifer Giangualano for Kids
and Baby, will be a central part of the Global Creative Center.
"Art Peck is the ideal person to lead the next phase for Gap, and I
expect him to make further enhancements to our North America business
while encouraging the creative teams to think big," said Murphy. "Pam
Wallack brings more than 20 years of retail experience to this role and
she will be counted on to develop the best ideas from around the globe
in order to deliver amazing product to our customers."
As part of the move to support the global business, the company also
announced the selection of a new advertising agency and the appointment
of a new chief marketing officer in New York. Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide
will become the agency for Gap brand globally, and Seth Farbman will
become Gap brand's global chief marketing officer. Farbman is currently
worldwide managing director at Ogilvy & Mather, where he developed
marketing campaigns for consumer brands such as Coca-Cola, UPS, Unilever
and Time Warner Cable. Farbman also founded OgilvyEarth, a top-ranked
sustainability marketing practice. He will report to Wallack.
In another significant shift to strengthen Gap Inc.'s North American
platform, the company announced the strategic decision to merge together
the operation of its Outlet division with the Gap and Banana Republic
brands. This will bring the specialty retail stores and their value
expression channels within the same organization to better reflect the
shopping habits of today's consumer and to drive efficiencies over time.
"The Outlet team is known for working in a nimble and decisive manner,
which has contributed to its impressive growth. We'll tap into the
strongest leaders from both Gap and the Outlet divisions to drive
sustainable performance going forward," Murphy added.
To hear a recording of Chairman and CEO Glenn Murphy discussing these
changes, please visit www.gapinc.com.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing,
accessories, and personal care products for men, women, children, and
babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta
brands. Fiscal 2009 sales were $14.2 billion. Gap Inc.'s brands are
available for purchase to customers in over 90 countries worldwide
through about 3,100 wholly owned stores, about 175 franchise stores and
its e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

Gap Inc.
Aina Konold, 415-427-4454 (Investor Relations)
investor_relations@gap.com
Louise
Callagy, 415-427-3502 (Media Relations)
press@gap.com
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