Brands
Effective Dec. 1, Nike Inc. said Carl Grebert, currently vice president and general manager of Global Jordan Brand, will become vice president and general manager of the company’s Asia Pacific and Latin America (APLA) geography.
During the past year-and-a-half, Grebert led Jordan’s global product engines, marketing, merchandising and category teams for the brand, helping reset the business and marketplace for the next phase of growth. Prior to his role with Jordan, Grebert served as global vice president and general manager of Young Athletes for more than two years.
Grebert succeeds Ann Hebert, who will become the new vice president of global sales, responsible for leading the company’s global sales teams and partnering with Nike Direct to build a seamless Nike network, according to the company. Mike Best, currently in the global sales role, is retiring after a nearly 30-year career with the brand.
Hebert has been with Nike for more than 23 years in increasingly senior leadership roles. Grebert and Hebert will report to Elliott Hill, Nike’s president of consumer and marketplace.
Centric Brands Inc., a lifestyle brands collective formerly known as Differential Brands Group Inc., announced Anurup Pruthi has joined the company as chief financial officer.
Anurup, who reports to CEO Jason Rabin, most recently served as CFO for The Children’s Place.
Meanwhile, Glenn Krevlin will join Centric Brands’ board of directors, the company said. Krevlin is founder, principal and portfolio manager of Glenhill Capital, a fundamental equity investment management firm founded in 2001.
The board of directors of Kering nominated Ginevra Elkann to replace Laurence Boone, who resigned her directorship after being appointment chief economist of the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development.
Elkann is president of two film production and distribution companies, Asmara Films and Good Films. She also serves as president of Pinacoteca Giovanni & Marella Agnelli in Turin, a director of the Exor company, a member of the advisory board at Christie’s and a member of the American Academy in Rome. Elkann’s nomination as a new independent director will be submitted to shareholders for approval at Kering’s next annual meeting on April 24.
Kering manages the development of luxury goods brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato and Girard-Perregaux.
Tapestry
Tapestry Inc. chief financial officer Kevin Wills will be leaving to pursue another opportunity, the company announced. Wills is expected to remain at Tapestry through Feb. 8, 2019, to facilitate a smooth transition.
Tapestry, which has a portfolio of brands including Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman, said the company is commencing a search for Wills’ successor with executive search firm Spencer Stuart.
Retail
The Children’s Place
Jane Elfers, president and CEO of the Children’s Place Inc., said she will permanently reassume direct responsibility for product, following the departure of Pamela Wallack as president of global product as the company consolidates key management roles.
In addition, Mike Scarpa will permanently reassume the position chief financial officer, on top of his role as chief operating officer, in the wake of Anurup Pruthi’s departure.
The Children’s Place operates 992 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, an online store at childrensplace.com, and has 211 international points of distribution operated by its eight franchise partners in 20 countries.
Footwear
Wiivv
Footwear and apparel technology company Wiivv (pronounced weave) named Brett Ritter as vice president of footwear and 3-D Products, reporting to CEO Shamil Hargovan.
Ritter will lead the team that defines and produces on-demand, custom-made products. He comes to Wiivv from PlusFoam Compound Technologies, where he led the company’s push to provide alternatives to traditional rubber, foam and plastic.
Ritter will be based in Santa Barbara, Calif., and will oversee Wiivv’s research and development and manufacturing facility in San Diego.
Wiivv’s insoles and sandals are custom-made through its app. The company also partners with brands and creators to scale the customization of its products using Wiivv Fit Technology.
