Gap marketing exec Marcela Aguilar joins Apple in global role

September 11, 2014

Apple has snagged Gap marketing exec Marcela Aguilar to lead the company's global marketing communications efforts as a director. At Gap Inc where Aguilar had helped to revive the brand's slump in the early 2010s, Aguilar had served as senior global director of marketing and communications. And now, Aguilar will be joining Apple as it launches its first fashion accessory on the market: the Apple Watch.

Aguilar is the latest high profile hire for Apple as it tries to recruit executives from fashion, tech, watchmakers, health and fitness markets, and more. Most notably, Angela Ahrendts, former head of Burberry, joined Apple as its retail head while it hired away watch-maker Tag Heuer's marketing executive and several others from luxury brand Yves St Laurent. Most recently, famed designer Marc Newson is joining old friend Jony Ive in a design role at Apple.

In an interview with AdAge, Aguilar's boss Seth Farbman at Gap had only high praises to say of Apple's gain.

"Apple is getting a tested professional. Working on a major American brand like Gap means you are on a big stage, in bright lights, every day. That experience is priceless, and Apple demands people who know how to play at a high level," Mr. Farbman added. "Also, her experience in simply communicating the value of meaningful design and developing ideas that create an emotion -- rather than just communicate a product benefit -- should serve her well at Apple."

What do you think of Apple's latest hire?

Source: AdAge via Cult of Mac