Nike, Inc. promoted Mary Kate Buckley and Jill Stanton to new leadership positions heading the Nike brand's two largest regional apparel businesses, representing approximately 76% of Nike's almost $4.6 billion in global apparel revenues.
Mary Kate Buckley has been named Vice President, Apparel, for Nike's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, comprising the Nike brand's largest regional apparel business with fiscal 2007 revenues of approximately $1.76 billion. She will report to EMEA VP and GM Eunan McLaughlin and to Roger Wyett, Nike's VP of global apparel. Buckley previously led Nike's America's region since 2001, leading a 77% growth in revenues for that region through fiscal 2007 to $953 million. As head of the Americas, Buckley led Nike to become the No. 1 football (soccer) brand in the region and helped position the region organizationally for long-term growth.
Buckley was named a corporate officer of Nike Inc. in 2006. She joined Nike in 1998 as Director of New Business Development. Before leading the Americas region, Buckley oversaw the development and growth of the company's nike.com e-commerce business.
Jill Stanton has been named VP, apparel, for Nike's U.S. region. The United States represents Nike's second-largest apparel business, with fiscal 2007 revenues of approximately $1.72 billion. She will report to Craig Cheek, VP and GM of the U.S., and to Wyett. Stanton previously led apparel in Nike's EMEA region since 2004, re-energizing the business and driving 32% revenue growth. Stanton joined Nike in 1997 in the United Kingdom as the Apparel Business Director. She has held a variety of apparel leadership positions, including General Manager of Asia Pacific Apparel.
“Mary Kate and Jill are seasoned Nike executives with proven ability to consistently grow our business and connect with Nike consumers in diverse markets and regions,” Wyett said. “Their experience in these new roles will be invaluable as we continue to drive growth and brand leadership in apparel worldwide.”
In the Americas region, the company expects to name a new regional general manager soon. In the interim, regional functional management as well as country general managers will report directly to Gary DeStefano, Nike's president of global operations.
