Fashion
Ralph Lauren appoints Stefan Larsson as CEO, establishing a line of succession for his iconic fashion company. Lauren will stay on as Executive Chairman & CCO once Larsson assumes his new role in November. Larsson was formerly Global President of Old Navy, where he led the troubled division to three years of solid growth and an added $1 billion in sales. He also spent 15 years at H&M as part of the senior management team that propelled the retailed into the global marketplace. Current President & COO Jackwyn Nemerov will step down to serve as an advisor.
Michelle Kessler-Sanders has been tapped as President Calvin Klein Collection, begining Oct. 13. She will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the brand, which consists of women’s, men’s, and accessories, as well as overall strategy, growth, and profitability. Kessler-Sanders reports to Steve Shiffman, CEO of Calvin Klein, a subsidiary of PVH Corp. John Van Glahn, previously President Wholesale Collection & Global Licensing, will continue as President Global Licensing.
Puma promotes Daniela Molin to GM Accessories & Licensing, a position based in Herzogenaurach and reporting to CEO Bjørn Gulden. She replaces Philippe Le-Bretton, who in turn takes on the role of GM Southeast Asia. Le-Bretton succeeds Jose Miguel Gomes de Andrade, who has left Puma.
Toys & Games
Juliana Chugg joins Mattel as Global Core Brands Officer to oversee marketing strategy, creative execution, and product development across the toy company’s brand portfolio. Chugg was formerly President Meals at General Mills. Mattel also taps Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, who hails from NBCUniversal, as Chief Content Officer to lead integrated content creation and distribution strategy. John Vandemore rounds out the new hires as CFO, Global Brands & Commercial, where he will handle all worldwide financial strategy and performance metrics. Vandmore was previously the CFO of Intl. Gaming Technology and Disney’s Imagineering division.
Entertainment & Character
Koko Rose Media is a new U.K.-based joint venture from Lisa Hryniewicz of Koko Media and Deer Little Forest’s creator Jo Rose, who take on roles as Co-Directors. The new company will handle management of worldwide rights to Deer Little Forest, a preschool brand which began as a line of greeting cards and expanded into publishing and television. The brand has licensing agents in 13 markets including the U.S., Germany, and China.
The Jim Henson Co. brings former Lionsgate executive Anna Moorefield on board as Director Global Distribution & Sales, where she will lead global home entertainment and digital sales. Jim Henson has been growing its distribution team as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. Moorefield was formerly Manager Intl. Television & Digital Distribution at Lionsgate.
Marcus Wolter expands his role at global producer-distributor Endemol Shine to serve as Chairman Northern Europe. In addition to his responsibilities as CEO Germany, Wolter will oversee the company’s operations in the Nordics, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
RMI taps Saphia Maxamed as Head Entertainment, where she will develop licensing strategies for the agency’s portfolio of celebrity and entertainment brands, including support at retail. Her current portfolio includes Samantha Faiers, Billie Faiers, Ferne McCann, Sanctum Soho, and Hardy Bucks the Movie, as well as new signings.
Digital
Sander Schwartz signs on as President of kids’ social media network Grom Social. Before launching his own consultancy firm, Schwartz was President of Warner Bros. Animation, President Production at Sony Pictures Television Intl., and President of FremantleMedia’s Kids & Family Entertainment.
Fantasy sports company FanDuel snapped up Jim Ross as GM League & Team Marketing to manage team and league partnerships. He was previously EVP Business Operations & Strategy at Palace Sports & Entertainment/Detroit.
Retail
JCPenney promotes John Tighe to EVP & Chief Merchant. Tighe recently served as Senior GMM Men’s, Children’s, Footwear, Handbag & Intimate Apparel. He succeeds Elizabeth Sweney, who will stay on in an advisory role through the end of the fiscal year, at which time she will retire.
James Kevin Symancyk, formerly President of Meijer, joins lifestyle retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors as President & CEO as of Nov. 2. It is not immediately clear who will succeed his role at Meijer.