The Player: Calhoun takes up challenge to revamp Banana Republic; Aims to boost sales to Gap, Old Navy levels.(People & Players)(Jack Calhoun, new chief marketing officer)

Advertising Age, June, 2003 by Cuneo, Alice

Byline: ALICE Z. CUNEO

For most of its time as a leading retailer, Gap Inc. has carefully honed its image through its in-house resources, starting from the design of its clothing to the look of its ads. But that may change soon as Jack Calhoun, Banana Republic's new chief marketing officer, takes over.

Mr. Calhoun was one of the first marketing hires by former Walt Disney Co. executive Paul Pressler, who took over as Gap Inc. president-CEO last fall, succeeding Millard "Mickey'' Drexler. One of Mr. Pressler's first acts was to hire Publicis Groupe's Leo Burnett USA, Chicago, to oversee segmentation studies of the three Gap brands, including Banana Republic and Old Navy. Mr. Calhoun will report to newly hired Banana Republic President Marka Hansen,...

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