Authentic Brands Group Announces Slate Of Executive Promotions

Authentic Brands Group announced a slate of executive promotions as it continues to position itself for sustainable and scalable growth.

ABG said it 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.”

ABG’s portfolio of iconic and world-renowned brands generates more than $14 billion in annual retail sales and includes Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O’Neal, Sports Illustrated, Dr. J, Greg Norman, Neil Lane, Thalia, Nautica, Aéropostale, Forever 21, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Herve Leger, Judith Leiber, Barneys New York, Brooks Brothers, Frye, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Jones New York, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Hickey Freeman, Hart Schaffner Marx, Adrienne Vittadini, Bandolino, Spyder, Tretorn, Tapout, Prince, Volcom, Airwalk, Vision Street Wear, Thomasville, Drexel, and Henredon.

The executive promotions and moves include:

Jarrod Weber: Group President, Lifestyle and Chief Brand Officer

Jarrod 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: Chief Communications Officer and Executive Vice President Marketing, Lifestyle

Natasha 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: Chief Digital Officer

In his role as Chief Digital Officer, Adam Kronengold will be leading ABG’s Digital team. Kronengold 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: President, Lifestyle – APAC and EMEA

A new addition to the team, Andy Lew joins ABG from Brooks Brothers, where he previously served as President of International, Wholesale and Uniform and Group SVP 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: President, Entertainment

Marc Rosen steps into a leading role 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, Marc 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.

Patricia Canavan: Executive Vice President, Lifestyle – LATAM

Patricia Canavan is a senior executive with over 25 years of experience in international brand development and 15 years of experience in retail operations in the luxury sector, having managed and developed brand strategies across 65 countries. Canavan joined ABG from VF Corporation as part of the Nautica acquisition in 2018, where she oversaw licensed partnerships in both product categories and international distribution. Prior to VF Corporation, Canavan served as VP, International Licensing at Anne Klein. Since joining ABG, Canavan has infused its International team with her immense retail and licensing expertise and knowledge of cultures around the world. Canavan will now lead the brand management and business development of ABG’s Lifestyle portfolio in Latin America.

Dana Carpenter: Executive Vice President, Entertainment – U.S. and Canada

Dana Carpenter is a senior leader with over 15 years of experience in global brand management and licensing. Prior to joining ABG in January 2016 as Vice President of Juicy Couture, Carpenter served as Director, International Retail Licensing at Wolverine World Wide and Senior Director International Retail Operations at Kenneth Cole. Throughout her tenure at ABG, Carpenter has demonstrated her abilities as a brand champion as well as her talent for re-positioning and mining the value of ABG’s IP across many of the Fashion, Street and Active brands. She now transitions to ABG’s Entertainment division, where she will spearhead all merchandise and NIL partnerships in the U.S. and Canada for the Icons, Living Legends and Sports Illustrated.

Naushaba Moeen: Executive Vice President, Lifestyle – U.S. and Canada

Naushaba Moeen is a respected brand leader with over 25 years of experience and an outstanding track record of licensing expertise, financial acumen and business judgment. Moeen joined ABG from VF Corporation in April 2018 as part of the Nautica acquisition and assumed the role of Business Unit Manager, Lifestyle. Moeen has a strong track record of achieving and exceeding revenue targets and driving strategic growth for ABG’s most prominent brands. In her new role, Moeen leads the development and growth of ABG’s Lifestyle portfolio across the U.S. and Canada.

David Sherman: Executive Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

David Sherman joined ABG in March 2018, bringing with him over a decade of experience at Katten Muchin Roseman LLP, and has since become an integral member of the Legal team. Sherman will continue to lead the company’s Business and Legal Affairs group, assuring that ABG’s Business Development and Brand teams continue to receive top-notch support and guidance on contract drafting, deal development and partner management.

Ron Zofnat: Executive Vice President, Entertainment – International

Ron Zofnat joined ABG’s Business Development team in January 2017 as a Senior Director and has since risen consistently within the International group. Prior to ABG, Zofnat has extensive experience in investment banking, M&A and finance, having worked with Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs and Perry Ellis International. As EVP, Entertainment – International, Zofnat will lead the brand management and business development of ABG’s Entertainment portfolio in the region. Zofnat will also support the buildout of ABG’s Entertainment Business Development operation outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Bridgette Fitzpatrick: Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property

Bridgette Fitzpatrick is a distinguished senior executive with over 20 years of experience in intellectual property, trademarks and licensing, having spent 24 years at Hearst before joining ABG in August 2014. Fitzpatrick and her team lead the ongoing management of trademarks for every brand in countless territories worldwide. Fitzpatrick brings extensive value to ABG’s IP management efforts and her expertise in trademark management is second to none.

Jovana Granzan: Senior Vice President, Operations

Jovana Granzan joined ABG’s finance team in March 2015 as Accounting Manager and was promoted to Assistant Controller in 2016, bringing with her 12-plus years of experience in audit, financial planning and reporting from Bulova Corporation and Loews Corporation. Since moving to Operations, Granzan has formulated and implemented office operations programs across the board, including IT, vendor, supply management and oversaw HR until 2019. Granzan recently led the project to design and buildout ABG’s new office space.

Joe Rosenbaum: Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Joe Rosenbaum first joined ABG in April 2019 as Vice President, Human Resources, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in organizational development from Argyle Executive Forum, Altour International and American Girl. At ABG, Rosenbaum has implemented substantial people-focused programs, which are helping to establish ABG’s HR function as a center of excellence. Rosenbaum and his team will continue to focus on talent acquisition, performance management and supporting ABG’s growth with high-performing people programs and initiatives.