Ralph Lauren Promotes Founder’s Son to Help Make Brand Hip Again

David Lauren, the son of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, has reached the C-suite after being promoted to chief innovation officer and vice chairman of the company his father founded almost 50 years ago.

The 44-year-old’s innovation position was created to drive the Ralph Lauren brand across all channels, the New York-based company said Friday in an e-mailed statement. The appointment is part of Chief Executive Officer Stefan Larsson’s “Way Forward” plan to revive Ralph Lauren Corp.’s sales and make the classic American brand cool again.