Barbie to the Rescue, Mattel's Richard Dickson Joins Gap as CEO
If you expected another hot pink-themed collab, this ain’t it.
Amidst the buzz surrounding over a hundred hot pink-themed collaborations, a groundbreaking announcement takes Barbie’s success to an entirely new level. Gap Inc. has appointed Richard Dickson, the Chief Operating Officer of Mattel Inc., as its new CEO after an extensive year-long search. The move comes as Gap seeks to revitalize its apparel business, drawing on Dickson’s success in transforming the iconic Barbie brand.
Dickson brings over two decades of experience at Mattel, during which he successfully revived the Barbie brand by introducing a diverse range of fashion dolls. In his current role, Dickson also oversees franchise management, adding to his credentials as a brand revitalization expert.
Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData, shared: “His reinvention of the Barbie franchise, which is currently riding on a high, is also proof that he understands how to turn around established brands that have run out of energy and steam.” Now, Gap looks to leverage Dickson’s skills to address challenges in the apparel market.
Gap has faced weak demand for its casual attire, leading to a decline in its stock value. The company’s previous CEO, Sonia Syngal, stepped down in July last year and Gap has also experienced top-level exits at its various brands, including Old Navy and Athleta.
Dickson will take the helm at Gap next month, leaving behind Mattel at a time of triumph following the blockbuster success of the Barbie movie. Before his tenure at Mattel, Dickson spent over a decade in various roles at Macy’s-owned Bloomingdale’s and co-founded Gloss.com, the first online retailer dedicated to high-end cosmetics, which was later acquired by Estee Lauder in 2000.
Watch this space as we learn more details about Dickson’s new role.
And, in case you missed it, Aries and Malibu’s limited-edition capsule proves there’s more than meets “AI.”
