• by Tanya Gazdik , 7 hours ago

Nike has lost another longtime executive with the exodus of Ron Faris, who is joining Disney Consumer Products as senior vice president of global marketing.

Faris, who served most recently as global vice president and general manager of Nike Virtual Studios and the “Swoosh” brand, “worked to modernize the company’s brand marketing and storytelling for Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers through its video game, creator and social platforms,” according to WWD. 

He spent nine years at Nike and was previously global vice president and general manager of Nike’s Snkrs app, the brand’s limited-edition product platform.

Prior to Nike, Faris spent 11 years at Virgin Mobile, including head of brand marketing, where he had the foresight to launch a live Facebook portal, according to Marketing Daily. Faris was founder and CEO of Virgin Mega, a social and mobile commerce company (which was acquired by Nike).

In his new role at Disney, Faris will oversee Disney Consumer Products’ global marketing strategies across its regional and global licensing teams, as well as the organization’s games, publishing and retail businesses, according to Variety.

“Disney’s unparalleled dedication to blending storytelling and innovation to reach fans of all ages across its broad consumer base is a purpose that resonates deeply with me both professionally and personally,” Faris says in a release. “With the company’s vast library of iconic stories, characters and lore, I look forward to driving deeper cultural relevance and meeting these fans where they are in an ever-evolving consumer landscape.”

Faris is among several other Nike executives who have recently left the company. 

“One of Nike’s most powerful executives will retire as part of the biggest leadership reshuffle to date under CEO Elliott Hill, who’s working to reboot the company,” according to a May story in The Oregonian. “Heidi O’Neill, a 26-year Nike veteran, will leave her job as president of consumer, product and brand, arguably the company’s No. 2 job. She oversaw product creation, marketing and how Nike served consumers.”