De Pestel, who will be based in Baltimore, spent nearly a dozen years at Tommy Hilfiger GETTY IMAGES
Under Armour named Tommy Hilfiger Exec VP/Global Marketing, Communications & Consumer Insights ALESSANDRO DE PESTEL CMO and brought on ANN FUNAI as Senior VP/Engineering, moves UA Founder, Chair & CEO KEVIN PLANK believes "should help to strengthen the brand's global marketing and digital prowess," according to Adrianne Pasquarelli of AD AGE. De Pestel spent "nearly a dozen years" at Tommy Hilfiger and Funai most recently served as Senior VP & CTO at talent management company PeopleAdmin, "working on the ways consumers interact with the brand on digital platforms." The hires come "two months after the unexpected resignation" of UA Senior VP/Brand Management ADRIENNE LOFTON, who had "been with the brand for three years." UA's "most recent" CMO, ANDREW DONKIN, left last November "after just 15 months" (ADAGE.com, 9/25). ADWEEK's Patrick Coffee noted de Pestel "will be based in Baltimore" and report to UA President & COO PATRIK FRISK, while Funai "will work under" Chief Digital Officer PAUL FIPPS in Austin. UA remains in the "midst of a long-term turnaround plan that places significant weight on international sales and an expansion into discount stores." The company last week announced a "restructuring" that will include a 3% reduction in total staff around the world "in order to increase efficiency and improve the company’s bottom line" (ADWEEK.com, 9/25).
