Organisation: Burberry Prorsum

Click here for full-size graph

Analysis and commentary by Echo Research.

First Kate, now Rose. Burberry seems to be losing its leading ladies. But while the media were sanguine about Kate Moss' exit from the iconic fashion house, rumours of Burberry's CEO Rose Marie Bravo's departure prompted concerned headlines. " End of an era looms large for Burberry" (The Herald, 7/10), " Burberry shares slip after chief executive rumours" (Guardian, 6/10), " Burberry falls out of fashion" (The Scotsman, 7/10). Press Office attempts to explain that Bravo's role could evolve, rather than disappear altogether, failed to keep pace with the glowing obituaries penned by City and fashion observers. With a leadership style dubbed " inspirational" (Daily Telegraph, 7/10) and " highly respected" (Reuters, 7/10), Bravo was widely credited with " the transformation of Burberry from a struggling, devalued brand mainly found on market stalls to an internationally renowned fashion brand" (The Times, 7/10). " Rose Marie's baby, from geek to chic" noted the FT (5/10).

The only stains on Bravo's raincoat were deemed the embracing of the Burberry brand by the chav contingent, which " has undermined its sophisticated image" (Sunday Telegraph, 9/10), and the Kate Moss affair. But more pressing for the media is the issue of succession : "Bravo wears only the most stylish shoes and they will be hard to fill" sighed the Sunday Telegraph (9/10).