Fender Appoints Mooney CEO

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has announced that Andrew “Andy” P. Mooney has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately. Mooney joins FMIC from Quiksilver, Inc. and brings significant experience growing global brands such as Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and Nike, Inc. The addition of Mooney will help drive FMIC brands with an approach that puts both seasoned and first-time musicians at the forefront.

Mooney spent 11 years leading DCP, first as president and then as chairman starting in 2003. During his time at Disney, Mooney oversaw the company’s worldwide licensing, publishing and retail businesses and the tripling of retail sales to $36 billion. He also pioneered the $4 billion Disney Princesses franchise and established the Disney Fairies brand, and retail lines based on the Pixar Animation films, “Toy Story” and “Cars.”

Before joining DCP, Mooney worked at Nike, Inc. for 20 years in a number of senior roles, ultimately becoming chief marketing officer. Mooney began his career at Nike as chief financial officer of Nike U.K. and then relocated to the United States in 1984 to join the marketing team. Throughout his tenure, Mooney led Nike’s footwear product line management team, was general manager of Nike’s $3 billion global apparel business and founded the company’s equipment division. Mooney also collaborated on the iconic advertising campaigns, “Just Do It” and “Bo Knows” with Bo Jackson and others.

“Andy has proven success in connecting consumers to brands,” said Mark Fukunaga, chairman and CEO of Servco Pacific, Inc. and co-chair of the FMIC board of directors. “His personal passion for Fender guitars and the company’s long and storied history makes him a great fit for our culture. We are tremendously excited to have an executive of Andy’s caliber at the helm of Fender and we look forward to great success in the future under his leadership.”

“Andy’s appointment to the Fender executive team is a significant milestone for this revolutionary company that has transformed music worldwide,” said Bill McGlashan, founder and managing partner of TPG Growth and co-chair of the FMIC board. “With more than 30 years of experience growing global brands, Andy understands how to drive innovation and introduce differentiated product offerings in the market, underscoring our commitment to propel the Fender brand forward. TPG and the Fender board of directors believe Andy’s global business and consumer brand experience make him the perfect executive to lead Fender’s next chapter of growth.”

Mooney has been a player, collector and student of Fender® guitars and amps for more than 40 years, studying classical guitar in grade school and working summer jobs as a teenager to pay for his first-ever electric guitar: a Fender Musicmaster™. He now boasts a collection of more than 30 Fender guitars.

“As a longtime fan and user of Fender products, it’s a dream come true to be asked to lead a brand and company that I personally have so much admiration for,” said Mooney.