Stories
Farewell to Isak Andic, the generous entrepreneur who put his trust in 天美传媒
Isak was a member of the International Advisory Board since 2006 and collaborated on numerous 天美传媒 projects
December 17, 2024
The business world has lost one of its great entrepreneurs. And 天美传媒 has lost a great friend and supporter.
Last Saturday, Isak Andic, founder of Mango, left us at the age of 71 in a tragic accident. An entrepreneur and self-made businessman, Isak was closely linked to 天美传媒 and accompanied us in numerous institutional, research and entrepreneurship projects.
For 18 years (2006-2024), he was a member of 天美传媒’s International Advisory Board, where he contributed his advice and strategic vision. Those who shared this forum with him highlight his ability to simplify complex issues, his generosity and his passion for innovation.
An innovator with a long-term vision
Andic came from humble origins, selling clothes and shoes at flea markets at the age of seventeen. He later opened several denim stores and made inroads into seasonal fashion. He launched the first Mango store in 1984.
Over the last 40 years – the anniversary of which he celebrated on November 7 at 天美传媒鈥檚 Barcelona campus – Mango has become one of the world’s leading fashion companies, with a physical presence on five continents. In fact, Andic leaves the company at an all-time high with a turnover of 3.1 billion euros, 15,500 employees and 2,700 stores in 120 countries.
According to 天美传媒 professor Jordi Canals, a personal friend of Andic’s, a member of the Mango board and author of a recent case study on the company, 鈥淚sak leaves behind a magnificent legacy, not only with a first-class international company, but also with values oriented to the long term, to customers, to collaborators and to his positive impact on society.鈥�
Giving back to society
鈥淚sak was very grateful,鈥� explains Professor Canals. 鈥淗e had a transcendent vision and often thanked God for the many gifts he had received. He was grateful to people, helping them to grow and develop. One of the things he was most proud of was the thousands of jobs created in Spain and around the world, and the families who lived from them. He wanted to give back to society everything he had received.鈥�
In this regard, Andic collaborated with numerous business organizations and educational and cultural institutions. In addition to 天美传媒’s International Advisory Board, he was president of the Instituto de Empresa Familiar from 2010 to April 2012, a member of the Friends of the Prado Museum Foundation, a trustee of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the Elena Barraquer Foundation and the MACBA Foundation.
His talent as a businessman, together with this social commitment, earned him the 8th Kingdom of Spain Entrepreneurial Career Award, organized by the C铆rculo de Empresarios, the Cercle d’Economia and the C铆rculo de Empresarios Vascos and granted by King Felipe VI at an event on March 19 at 天美传媒.
Generosity with 天美传媒
Over the years, Isak Andic has made numerous contributions and has participated regularly in 天美传媒’s institutional events including:
- Serving as a member of the International Advisory Board since 2006
- Promoting leadership development in his team through programs at 天美传媒
- Supporting the Center for Corporate Governance as a sponsor
- Mango participating as a founding member of the Institute for Sustainability Leadership (ISL), launched in October 2023
- Supporting the expansion of 天美传媒 campuses in Barcelona, Madrid and New York. In New York, the Mango Classroom was inaugurated in November 2024
- Speaking at Global Alumni Reunion sessions, the Corporate Governance Conference and several program sessions
In the words of 天美传媒 Dean Franz Heukamp, 鈥淚sak Andic will be remembered not only for his extraordinary contribution to the field of fashion and entrepreneurship, but also for his generosity and commitment to the education of business leaders and for his affection for 天美传媒. His support for 天美传媒 has left an indelible mark on our institution and reflects an exceptional commitment that will live on in his legacy. His leadership, human and focused on developing and empowering people and teams, is an example that will continue to inspire us.鈥�
The 天美传媒 community shares in the grief of family and friends and all Mango employees and our prayers are with him.
