Arnd Mueller

Member of the Executive Team Esprit Group

Leading global Marketing for the $1.7b Avery RBIS – a division of the fortune 500 company Avery Dennison focusing on Apparel & Footwear branding and information solutions (e.g. RFID). Overseeing marketing communication, consumer category management, global creative brand development and global insights (market research, consumer and creative trend). RBIS is market leader and partner for global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Mark’s & Spencer, WalMart, Levis, H&M, Zara or G-Star.

Led the apparel business for Disney in North America, overseeing the category-, licensing-, consumer- and account strategies for the Disney apparel brand in the region. Exceeded budget and delivered a 27% growth rate for the region and built the apparel business to an all time high of $850M wholesale sales. Expanded the successfully built Hannah Montana fashion brand from a department and mid-market focused strategy to mass market and key account launch and implemented Infant Apparel Strategy.

Led the North American apparel business for mid-market (e.g. SEARS, JCP, KOHLS), specialty stores (e.g. Fred Segal, Limited Too), department stores (e.g. Macy’s) and club channel (e.g. COSTCO). Managed category, sales and creative team with dotted line reporting. Assumed additional responsibility for K-mart and COSTCO after six months. Set and implemented strategy for the business segment. Over-delivered the budget goals for two consecutive years with growth rates of 20% and 28% of sales.

Led the business (P&L) for the Consumer Products categories Apparel, Footwear & Accessories for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, reporting into the European organization in London. European responsibility for the international direct to retail account C&A. Turned around a steeply declining business (which lost 60% of its value in four years), and tripled the business in only three years. Overachieved against aggressive budget goals three years in a row and grew operating income by 65% year two.

Started Disney’s key account management in the territory and focused on international and domestic strategic top key accounts in the region (e.g. KarstadtQuelle, Metro, ALDI, C&A, TRU, H&M, Wal*Mart etc.) to market Disney branded consumer products categories like Toys, Apparel, Stationary, Food etc. Refocused strategy and established meaningful partnerships based on joint strategic and measurable account objectives

Licensing of popular sports and third party brand (e.g. FIA and several Formula One Racing teams, Americas’ Cup, Club Med).

Led the marketing department of BMG Ariola Miller focusing above and below the line marketing activities for the music compilation and family entertainment (Video and Records) business.

Assisted the General Manager of the BMG Ariola Miller, part of the Bertelsmann Music Group with strategic planning, market research and new business projects: Analyzed trends and systemized market benchmarks in the record/ music/ family entertainment business, presented regularly to sales, marketing and general manager resulting in more strategic business decision making. Coordinated consulting project which resulted in reorganization of the sales organization

Managed marketing and business development for the new business initiative Merchandising and Licensing to market BMG's property rights in the area of music and family entertainment.

Communication Marketing