AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP MAKES SLATE OF EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) has announced a slate of executive promotions as it continues to position itself for sustainable and scalable growth around the world.

ABG has experienced consistent growth over the last year. The addition of new brands including Forever 21, Brooks Brothers, and Lucky Brand have boosted the value of its global brand portfolio, which now generates more than $14 billion in global retail sales annually.

In support of its growth and business goals, ABG has strategically re-aligned key areas of its organizational structure, putting emphasis on four key regions, including the U.S. and Canada, LATAM, EMEA, and APAC. As part of this shift, ABG has also reorganized its lifestyle and entertainment business units to support the recent infusion of new brands into its portfolio and its heightened focus on innovation in digital, e-commerce, and brand experiences.

“We are thrilled to elevate many talented individuals from within ABG and to welcome a few newcomers,” said Jamie Salter, chairman and chief executive officer of ABG. “We’ve hit the ground running in 2021 and are prioritizing expansion and positioning our leaders to help drive the success of our brands on the global and regional level.”

Among the promotions include Jarrod Weber being elevated to the position of group president of lifestyle and chief brand officer. Weber is a senior leader and brand strategist with over 15 years of experience in apparel, consumer products, retail, entertainment, and licensing. Weber began his career at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, one of the most respected law firms in New York City, where he was an attorney specializing in M&A, securities law, and intellectual property. Throughout his tenure at ABG, Weber’s innate understanding of the brand landscape and forward-thinking approach coupled with his strategic positioning of ABG’s assets have proven to be a powerful formula for success across the portfolio. Weber’s unique combination of instinct, intellect, and ability to build successful, long-term partnerships has been the catalyst for developing ABG’s expansive network of licensing, distribution, and franchise partners throughout the world. 

Natasha Fishman has been elevated to chief communications officer and executive vice president marketing of lifestyle. Fishman is a valued industry executive with over 20 years of experience in entertainment brand management, marketing, digital and retail business development, having worked with Iconix Brand Group, Mattel, and HIT Entertainment. In her new role as CCO, Fishman will be the chief communicator of company culture, values, and beliefs, and expands her oversight to include responsibility for revenues related to strategic retail and go-to-market initiatives. As EVP, Marketing, Lifestyle, Fishman continues to lead marketing for ABG’s lifestyle portfolio with a proven ability to drive innovation, consumer engagement, revenue growth, and profitability through original marketing strategies. 

Adam Kronengold has been named chief digital officer. In his role, Kronengold will be leading ABG’s digital team. He will champion digital strategy and innovation across ABG as the company continues its ongoing mission to innovate and expand its digital footprint. Throughout his tenure at ABG, Kronengold has pioneered a digital-first approach to brand marketing, including the development of Winston, ABG’s proprietary influencer network, and Cerebro, ABG’s data capture platform. Kronengold has been instrumental in growing ABG’s digital presence worldwide and will drive the ongoing development of the company’s Enterprise Solutions.

Andy Lew has been named president of lifestyle for APAC and EMEA. A new addition to the team, Lew joins ABG from Brooks Brothers, where he previously served as president of international, wholesale, and uniform and group senior vice president and CEO for APAC. Lew brings with him 30 years of experience, having worked with esteemed brands and retailers like Ermenegildo Zegna and Nordstrom. Lew now takes the lead on expanding ABG’s lifestyle portfolio’s branded licensing and distribution in two primary regions, APAC and EMEA.

Marc Rosen steps into a leading role as president of entertainment, through which he will spearhead the development of ABG’s entertainment division, including the growth of ABG’s West Coast HQ, and oversee the icons, living legends, and media brands. Prior to joining ABG in 2014, Rosen began his career at Weil, Gotshal and Manges LLP as a corporate attorney before joining Civic Entertainment Group, LLC to work on strategic consulting projects for leading media companies. At ABG, Rosen has thrived in various business development and brand roles while driving strategic growth across the entertainment portfolio, igniting and honing brand partnerships with the industry’s top creators, distributors, and category experts.

Other promotions include Patricia Canavan as executive vice president of lifestyle for LATAM, Dana Carpenter as executive vice president of entertainment for U.S. and Canada, Naushaba Moeen as executive vice president of lifestyle for U.S. and Canada, David Sherman as executive vice president and deputy general counsel, Ron Zofnat as executive vice president of entertainment for international, Bridgette Fitzpatrick as senior vice president and associate general counsel of intellectual property, Jovana Granzan as senior vice president of operations, and Joe Rosenbaum as senior vice president of human resources.