Nike Leadership Shuffle Sparks: Nike’s corporate shake-up has left a trail of layoffs, with some employees taking to LinkedIn to share their recent job losses amid major changes in the company’s top design and marketing roles.
On Tuesday, Nike unveiled a series of leadership shifts, with John Hoke named as the new chief innovation officer and Martin Lotti taking on the role of chief design officer. Additionally, Nicole Hubbard Graham is set to become the new chief marketing officer, effective Jan. 2, 2024, succeeding the retiring Dirk-Jan “DJ” van Hameren.
While these announcements marked a significant reshuffling at the top, at least four Nike employees posted on LinkedIn this week, revealing that they were affected by a round of layoffs that occurred last week. The cuts reportedly impacted talent and product management teams, as well as contracted roles like copywriting.
One post from a laid-off employee on Monday stated, “After 13 incredible years with Nike, I was unfortunately impacted by another round of layoffs last week. I am looking for a new role and would appreciate your support.”
The exact scope of the layoffs and the reasons behind them were not disclosed by Nike, which did not respond to requests for comment. However, one post mentioned that the cuts were part of a broader reorganization in the company’s digital business.
Another affected employee revealed that she was among approximately 70 contractors at Nike Brand Creative who were let go.
In the wake of these layoffs, former Nike employees expressed support on LinkedIn, offering assistance to their impacted colleagues during what seemed to be a significant digital reorganization.
On the executive side, Nike officially announced the appointment of Muge Erdirik Dogan, formerly head of fashion at Amazon, as its new chief technology officer.
Innovation, design, and storytelling have always been the heart and soul of Nike. These leadership changes enable us to obsess further over our unparalleled innovation, product, design, and storytelling to reimagine sport for the next generation of athletes, said Heidi ONeill, Nikes president of consumer, product, and brand, in a statement. Together, these leaders will deliver new levels of performance, style and breakthrough storytelling for consumers around the world.
This comes after Nike experienced changes in its technology leadership earlier this year, with the departure of its global chief digital information officer Ratnakar Lavu in February, coinciding with reports of job cuts across the company’s talent teams.
In the most recent quarter, Nike Digital reported a 2 percent growth on a reported and currency-neutral basis.
Also read: Nike Exceeds Profit Expectations: Commits to Intensifying Emphasis on Running Shoe Innovation
Our Reader’s Queries
Who are the leadership changes in Nike?
Nike has recently made some significant changes to its executive team, with the appointment of John Hoke as the new chief innovation officer, Martin Lotti as the chief design officer, Nicole Hubbard Graham as the chief marketing officer, and Muge Erdirik Dogan as the chief technology officer (CTO). These appointments are expected to bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the company, as Nike continues to lead the way in the sports and fashion industry. With a strong focus on design, marketing, and technology, Nike is poised for continued success in the years to come.
What is the future strategy of Nike?
Nike’s approach to growth centers around innovation, sustainability, and extending its global presence. The brand places a significant emphasis on research and development to produce fresh offerings that cater to the demands of both consumers and athletes. By prioritizing these key areas, Nike is able to stay ahead of the curve and maintain its position as a leader in the industry.