Report: Apple hires Gap marketing director

Cupertino, Calif. – Apple Inc. has reportedly hired Marcela Aguilar, senior global director of marketing communications for Gap Inc., to be its new director of global marketing communications, according to AdAge. Aguilar, who has worked at Gap since 2011, is credited as helping to drive the company’s resurgence in brand awareness, especially among Millennials.



The hire comes as Apple prepares for the release of its wearable Apple Watch line of products in early 2015. Seth Farbman, chief marketing officer of Gap, personally hired Aguilar and is quoted as saying she was responsible for Gap’s new “Dress Normal” marketing campaign and was a “major part of the journey to return the brand to iconic status,” AdAge reported.



Apple has hired a number of other retail executives over the past two years. In 2013, it tapped Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts to head Apple's retail division. Apple has also brought on executives from Yves St. Laurent and Nike.



Aguilar previously worked at advertising agencies including BBDO and RappCollins. Gap said it will soon have news on her replacement. Neither Apple nor Aguilar commented on the hire.