Ralph Lauren announced Thursday the appointment of Jonathan Bottomley as chief marketing officer and Tom Mendenhall as brand president, men’s Polo, Purple label and Double RL–both newly created roles within the company.
Bottomley joins Ralph Lauren from Vice Media, where he acted as chief strategy officer. He will be responsible for evolving the brand’s voice, leading the global marketing team and compiling top-notch strategies across the company’s brands. Bottomley will be a part of the company’s executive team and report to both Valerie Hermann, president of global brands and Ralph Lauren, executive chairman and chief creative officer, until the brand announces a new CEO. Bottomley will begin his new position in early April.
“As we write our next chapter, we continue to add exceptionally strong leaders with the passion, energy, and talent to lead our Company into the future,” said Ralph Lauren. “Both Jonathan and Tom bring a fresh perspective and incredible depth of brand experience to Ralph Lauren. They each have impressive track records and we are looking forward to welcoming them into our leadership as our evolution continues.”
Mendenhall moves to Ralph Lauren from Tom Ford International, where he served as Chief Operating Officer for more than ten years. In his new role with Ralph Lauren he will manage all brand functions including design and merchandising, and will oversee maximizing brand strength to help bolster sales. Mendenhall will report to Hermann, and begins his new position late next month.
“Jonathan and Tom will play critical roles as we move forward in our evolution as a brand and Company. Jonathan’s innovative, integrated approach will bring freshness and cohesion to our iconic marketing efforts, while Tom’s proven experience and recognized excellence in men’s will support our continued growth in this category,” said Hermann.
