Amer Sports Winter and Outdoor Americas’ Marketing Structure Combines Talents and Resources to Improve Retail Experience
OutdoorHub 10.11.11
In a retailer and consumer-focused business development that centralizes management of its three brands, Amer Sports Winter and Outdoor Americas (ASWO) announces the new management structure of its marketing departments.
ASWO includes the American divisions of Salomon, Suunto and Atomic. Effective immediately, ASWO is operating under a marketing organization that unites leadership of the three brands in certain areas, making each stronger and offering a better overall experience to retailers and consumers.
Jean-Yves Couput, ASWO Marketing Director and Vice President says ASWO’s organizational flow is designed with the consumer and retailer in mind first and foremost. “These three strong Amer Sports brands are now able to easily share resources, tools and best practices to ensure our customers that we’re doing everything we can for them,” says Couput. “Instead of driving the market by category or brand, we are driving it by customer demands so that our priority is to more effectively answer the needs of the marketplace.”
Courtney Vermaas, previously Suunto USA Marketing Coordinator has been promoted to ASWO Outdoor Brand Manager and will lead USA divisions of Salomon Outdoor (footwear, athletic outdoor apparel and Nordic), and Suunto. Vermaas will manage a soon-to-be-appointed marketing coordinator as well as Sports and Community Marketing Associate Josh Korn.
“I’m excited to step into this new role,” says Courtney Vermaas. “My experience with Suunto is going to contribute to building synergies between Suunto and Salomon Outdoor when possible, establishing greater efficiencies within our organization and becoming more effective when telling our stories to the consumer.”
Jordan Judd, formerly Marketing Director at Atomic USA, adds Sales Director for Atomic USA to his title. Retaining his marketing leadership with the brand, Judd has announced the hiring of Kathryn Smith as Atomic USA Alpine Brand Manager. Formerly Assistant Marketing Manager at Snow Sports Industries of America, (SIA) Smith reports to Judd and is leading Atomic USA’s advertising, promotion, sports marketing, trade shows and public relations programs.
“I’m extremely excited to have Kathryn onboard as part of our team,” says Jordan Judd. “She brings a fresh and unique perspective to our group from her experience at SIA along with a strong work ethic. In addition, she will add a lot of value for us in the digital marketing space having help spearhead those efforts in her previous role.”
“I’m honored to join the Atomic family,” says Smith. “I look forward to utilizing my previous experience to elevate Atomic USA’s marketing initiatives and brand position.”
Jenny Naftulin will continue as Salomon USA Alpine Brand Manager and will manage Nick Papailiou, USA Sports and Community Marketing Associate.
Long-time Salomon USA sports marketing employee Paul Guimond, most recently Salomon Outdoor Brand Manager, has become the new ASWO Outdoor Field and Retail Marketing Manager. His position in managing nine tech reps serving athletic outdoor communities across the country is another example of the organization’s focus on offering a more complete and efficient experience for retailers and consumers.
“Our enthusiastic tech reps are tying in with retailers to provide expert support and energy at sport-specific events across the country as well as stronger insider expertise within their shops,” says Guimond.
“Within the United States, Salomon, Suunto and Atomic can become stronger by sharing the individual strengths and management talents of each,” says Amer Sports Winter and Outdoor Americas President and General Manager Mike Dowse. “Each of these brands is dynamic, and we can assure customers that they will maintain their uniqueness and all the special qualities that keep users loyal to them.”
ASWO is currently building an internal Marcom (marketing/communications) and Shared Services (creative collateral) department that will be run by one internal manager accompanied by a marketing associate.
ASWO will continue working with certain external partners, including MacKenzie Exhibit for trade show and display projects, and Outside Media for public relations. Personnel listed above are available for interviews upon appointment, and photos are available by request. Please contact Hilary@outsidemedia.com for these or additional information.
