Universal Music chief joins Gap Inc. board amid comeback effort

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Universal Music Publishing Group CEO Jody Gerson has joined Gap Inc.’s board of directors, the apparel retailer announced Monday via email.

Gerson, named an industry icon by the Grammys this year, has worked with several well-known artists, including Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Adele, Kendrick Lamar and SZA. She serves on the boards of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, among others, and is co-founder of the nonprofit She Is The Music.

“I’m energized to support [Gap Inc. CEO] Richard Dickson’s vision and draw inspiration from Gap’s remarkable renaissance as a brand that’s become synonymous with the culture of music,” she said in a statement.

The appointment comes as Gap Inc. endeavors to revive its cultural relevance, especially at its namesake brand. Gap once defined American casual style and made what seemed like an indelible impression via a series of iconic marketing campaigns. But sales stagnated in recent decades.

Following Dickson’s arrival as CEO two years ago, Gap sales have recovered — in Q2 net sales rose to $772 million, with comps up 4% — with some strength evident at Old Navy and Banana Republic as well. The Gap brand is also back in the conversation, at least for now, thanks to its “Better in Denim” campaign with Katseye. The video has had hundreds of millions of views and was the No. 1 TikTok search at one point, the company said in its press release. 

Gerson’s arrival seems intended to fuel the momentum. In a statement, Dickson called her “a cultural force in her own right.” 

“Her insights into fashiontainment – our platform at the intersection of fashion, music and celebrity – are unmatched,” he said. “At Gap Inc., we’ve always believed that style is a form of storytelling, and Jody’s ability to amplify voices and shape cultural moments will be invaluable as we continue redefining what it means to be an iconic, purpose-led house of brands.”

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