Gibson hires Norman’s Rare Guitars expert Mark Agnesi

(Image credit: Jenn Angkahan)

Gibson has announced the hiring of Norman’s Rare Guitars manager and YouTube host Mark Agnesi for the resurgent guitar company’s newly created position, Director of Brand Experience.

The role will involve “re-imagining and implementing creative ways of delivering the Gibson experience”, according to the firm.

Agnesi will report to Chief Merchant Officer Cesar Gueikian when he starts the new role at the end of March.

I have been playing, finding and selling Gibson guitars all my life, and now I get to join Gibson for real

Mark Agnesi

“I am excited to bring Mark onboard at such a pivotal stage for Gibson,” says Gueikian. “He is the perfect fit to help us turn our vision into a reality and I can’t wait to see what Mark will bring to our team, our brands and our business.”

“Joining the most iconic guitar company in the world is the opportunity of a lifetime for me”, exclaims Agnesi, who shared the announcement on Twitter with the hashtag #MakeGibsonGreatAgain.

“I have been playing, finding and selling Gibson guitars all my life, and now I get to join Gibson for real.”

The move will bolster the sense that Gibson is in the right hands, after the hiring of former Levi’s CEO James ‘JC’ Curleigh and an impressive showing at NAMM this year, which focused on the iconic brand’s core heritage strengths.

“As we set the stage for the future, we need leaders who balance our iconic legacy with a creative lens on the future... and Mark is that guy,” says JC.

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Michael Astley-Brown

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.