Observed Signal · May 6, 2026 · Hiring · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Old Navy Names Michael Francis Chief Customer Officer
Gap Inc. has appointed veteran brand executive Michael Francis as chief customer officer (CCO) of Old Navy and as head of marketing shared services for Gap Inc.'s apparel portfolio. Francis will report to Haio Barbeito, president and CEO of Old Navy, and collaborate with interim CMO Derek Yarbrough to strengthen Old Navy’s brand, marketing and customer-experience strategy. In his shared-services role he will oversee media strategy and a shared influencer platform across Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta. Francis previously advised Old Navy and held senior roles including chief global brand officer at DreamWorks Animation, president of JCPenney and CMO at Target. The hire is part of Gap Inc.’s ongoing turnaround under CEO Richard Dickson; the article notes Gap Inc.’s 2025 net sales of $15.4 billion and Old Navy’s 2025 net sales of $8.7 billion.
Significant brand-level leadership hire that affects marketing and shared-services strategy across Gap Inc.'s portfolio during an ongoing corporate turnaround, but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Michael Francis appointed chief customer officer of Old Navy and head of marketing shared services for Gap Inc.
- Francis will report to Haio Barbeito, president and CEO of Old Navy, and work closely with interim CMO Derek Yarbrough.
- In the shared-services role he will oversee media strategy and a shared influencer platform across Gap Inc. brands including Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta.
- Francis previously served as an advisor to Old Navy and held leadership roles at DreamWorks Animation, JCPenney and Target.
- Gap Inc.’s net sales in 2025 were $15.4 billion; Old Navy’s 2025 net sales were $8.7 billion.
Connected Companies & Entities
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Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Old Navy CEO to Exit After Weak Q2 Sales
Gap Inc. announced a leadership transition at its largest brand, Old Navy: CEO Haio Barbeito will move to an advisory role on Nov. 2 and Michael Francis will take over leadership. The change follows Old Navy’s disappointing Q2 results, with net sales down 4% year-over-year to $2.1 billion and comps down 4%, attributed in part to an unexpected traffic slowdown and merchandising issues. Meanwhile, Gap’s namesake brand and Banana Republic posted stronger Q2 performance, and Gap Inc. overall reported net sales down 2% to $3.7 billion. Gap CEO Richard Dickson characterized Old Navy’s miss as modest and planned; industry analysts, including GlobalData’s Neil Saunders, said the brand needs a broader correction beyond a merchandise range fix.
Marketers on the Move: Gap and Saucony Hires
Adweek's weekly "Marketers on the Move" roundup (week ending May 15, 2026) reports recent brand leadership appointments. Saucony hired Wendy Kula, a Nike veteran, as its chief marketing officer to lead marketing across performance running, lifestyle and culture; she replaces Joy Allen–Altimare, who left the business in November. Gap Inc. appointed Lourdes Arocho, a former Paramount executive, as senior vice president and head of licensing. The piece is authored by Rebecca Stewart, Adweek's brand editor, and is presented as part of Adweek’s Leadership & Talent coverage.
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