meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Business Wars

Gap's Revival | Better in Navy? | 3

Business Wars

Wondery

History, Business, David Brown, Management

4.613.2K Ratings

🗓️ 13 November 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The “Better in Denim” ad campaign put Gap back on the map for Gen Z — but are viral ads enough to fuel a comeback? Jordyn Holman of the New York Times breaks down how Gap CEO Richard Dickson is taking the company back to its pop culture roots. Later, David dives deeper into Old Navy’s strategy with Aubrey Avery Jr., who helped Gap build the new brand from the ground up. He explains how Old Navy became the company’s shining star. 

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

I'm David Brown, and this is Business Wars. When you think of the gap, what comes to mind?

0:33.3

You picture the iconic navy blue drawstring shopping bags, or maybe Sharon Stone wearing a Gap sweater on the red carpet?

0:41.3

Or perhaps you're calling up the scent of their dream perfume.

0:45.8

For many elder millennials, memories of the Gap call up fond nostalgic feelings.

0:50.4

But for the teens coming of age in the mid-2000s,

0:53.3

well, the Gap was just another store at the mall,

0:55.7

often passed over for the fast-fashioned trailblazers like Forever 21 or H&M.

1:01.6

And for Gen Z, the company's hoping that this new generation thinks of it is the brand behind the viral ads with the hottest celebrities.

1:09.8

The most recent? That Better in Denham dance ad

1:12.8

from this past August that got nearly 400 million views in its first few days. Everyone online was

1:18.6

trying to learn the choreography, which was set to milkshake by Kalees. We go five, six, seven,

1:24.4

eight, one and two and three, and roll down, middle, and ta, ta, up.

1:30.3

Gap even posted its own dance tutorial with instructions from the original choreographer, and that too blew up.

1:37.1

Hey guys, it's Robbie Blue, and I'm going to teach you my choreo to milkshake.

1:40.9

Here we go.

1:41.8

The company's CEO Richard Dixon is behind the push to regain

1:45.5

cultural relevance. Dixon joined the company in 2023, and so far, his approach seems to be working.

1:52.4

Dixon is the mastermind behind the revival of the Barbie brand. And the question on everyone's

1:57.5

minds is whether he can lead Gap to a similar comeback.

2:02.0

Joining us to talk about that, Jordan Holman, a retail reporter at the New York Times.

2:06.6

She's helping us analyze whether Gap can keep this energy going and return it to the powerhouse

2:11.8

it once was. Later, we're diving deeper into Gap Incorporated's biggest moneymaker, Old Navy.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.