J.Crew CMO Vanessa Holden resigns alongside CEO Jim Brett
Vanessa Holden has relinquished her role as chief marketing officer at J.Crew mere months after spearheading a relaunch for the brand ahead of the all-important Christmas period.
J.Crew rebrand undermined by resignation of CMO Vanessa Holden
The clothing retailer was left reeling after Holden announced her immediate departure alongside chief executive Jim Brett, undermining the debut of its ‘New Crew’ marketing campaign launched just two months ago.
Now instead of winning back lost shoppers the business finds itself on the back foot as it seeks to recruit not just a new marketing boss but also a chief executive.
With its New Crew relaunch, J.Crew sought to improve diversity in its models and clothing ranges in a bid to reach lapsed customers and prove that the company was changing.
Holden previously served as senior VP and creative director at West Elm alongside Brett and served with the agency Sub Rosa before accepting the J.Crew position last July.
The dual departures were both announced on Saturday but a J.Crew spokeswoman insisted that the timing was purely coincidental, with Holden tendering her resignation in advance of Brett going public with his own decision to quit.
In February, J.Crew partnered with WeWork for a four-part panel series devoted to topics such as success, professional fulfilment and what it means to be an entrepreneur.