Business people : Quiksilver's McKnight to be Succeeded by Disney Exec

Robert B. McKnight Jr. will step down as CEO of Quiksilver Inc., replaced by former Disney and Nike executive Andy Mooney, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The management change will be effective Jan. 11. McKnight will become executive chairman.

The report indicated McKnight was looking for a successor with experience with bigger brands, e-commerce and global expansion.

"I've been with the company for 35 years, and it's the only job I've ever had," McKnight told the Journal. "It's time to really take this to a bigger and better place."

Mooney was previously chairman of Disney Consumer Products, and is credited with reviving Disney's licensing business, re-inventing Disney Stores and opened Disney English Language Learning Centers in mainland China. Mooney grew Disney’s publishing division to become the global leader in children’s publishing and was responsible for creating two of the company’s largest franchises, Disney Princess and Fairies. He resigned from Disney in September 2011.

Prior to joining Disney, Mooney spent 20 years at Nike, ultimately becoming that company’s chief marketing officer. In this role, he collaborated with Portland based ad agency Wieden & Kennedy in the development of the advertising campaign ‘Just Do It.’ During his tenure at Nike, Mooney managed the company’s footwear and apparel divisions and founded Nike’s equipment division.

McKnight was a co-founder of Quiksilver in 1976 served as its president from 1979 through July 1991 and has been chairman of the board and CEO since August 1991. In February 2008, he also was re-appointed as president.

Besides the Quiksilver brand, the company distributes Roxy, DC and Hawk.

through SportsOneSource Media 

More infos on LA times :
Quiksilver seeks to reverse tide with change of president