• The New York Times, Friday, February 2, 2007 12:15 PM

In a move that signals that Gap intends to overhaul its brand, long-time company insider Marka Hansen was named president, replacing Cynthia Harriss, who resigned. Harriss had a close connection to Paul S. Pressler, who was ousted as Gap CEO last week. Both Pressler and Harriss came to Gap from Walt Disney Co.

Hansen, 53, had been the president of Banana Republic, the only unit that experienced a turnaround under Pressler. Under Hansen, Banana Republic gained a reputation for spotting trends and developing a strong fashion statement season after season--two attributes that have eluded the Gap brand recently.

Hansen has held various positions within Gap and has a strong relationship with interim CEO Robert J. Fisher, who hired her in 1987. She is widely viewed as the opposite of Harriss: a merchant highly comfortable around clothes and clothing designers.

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