News August 9, 2018

Gibson have posted an online ad looking for their new CEO

Have you ever wanted the honour of being in charge of one of the most famous guitar manufacturers of all time? Well, have we got news for you, because Gibson have just begun advertising online for their next CEO.

Over the last six months, we’ve posted on numerous occasions how the iconic guitar brand Gibson were heading for bankruptcy. After first playing down rumours earlier this year, the brand soon admitted that things looked bleak, before officially filing for bankruptcy, and receiving a lifeline loan of $135 million.

While fingers were undoubtedly pointed in the wake of this news, it was the current CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz, who conceded that the company’s status was a result of his apparently poor decision to try turn Gibson into a “music lifestyle company” by selling high-end audio equipment in addition to their regular catalogue of guitars.

“No, it wasn’t a great decision,” Henry Juszkiewicz confessed. “It didn’t work out very well. I think it was a rational decision, but it turned out to be a very poor decision, and it’s a decision I made. It is what it is.”

Now, it seems as though the company is on the lookout for their next CEO, with Gibson posting an online job ad recently.

Posted to ExecThread, Music Radar notes that the role would see any interested parties committing to take on the roles of CEO/President, General Management, Operations, and Strategy within the iconic company.

As the listing states, Gibson are on the lookout for someone with the following credentials:

Prior experience in a major consumer products company required
Prior experience in a recognized brand, including digital, social engagement & e-commerce required
Experience in acquiring & integrating complementary businesses preferred
Private equity experience including a successful “exit” preferred
Music industry experience preferred
Prior P&L experience with global premium brands preferred

While it certainly appears that Gibson is looking to start undergoing some major change in the near future, Henry Juszkiewicz admitted to Guitarist recently that he’s set to remain with the company for quite some time.

“I will be here for a while, as CEO,” explained Juszkiewicz recently. “And then I will be here for a while, for a couple of years, as an active advisor and mentor.”

Whatever the case, we’re sure that legions of aspiring musicians out there hope that whoever takes on the top job at the company will be able to ensure years and years of fine musical instruments to come.