Saucony has made a number of strategic new hires and key promotions in sales, marketing, international and product management. According to the company, the changes will bolster Saucony’s efforts in the specialty running channel, overseas activities, product design and activities with sponsored athletes.
"The brand is firing on all cylinders," said Saucony President Richie Woodworth. "This strategic investment in talent acknowledges the great success our team is currently enjoying and bolsters our bench strength and alignment against important strategic initiatives across our business to address the significant opportunities for Saucony in the global marketplace."
With a focus on the specialty retail channel, Fred Doyle will assume the newly created role of Vice President of Market Development-Run Specialty. In this role, Doyle will be responsible for the development and management of team sports; the advancement of the brand’s partnership with Fleet Feet Sports; the ongoing expansion of the Saucony Supreme Retailer programme; sales training; and oversight of the brand’s run specialty e-commerce business.
Meanwhile, Timothy Knowlton has been promoted to the new role of Vice President of Field Sales and will be responsible for defining and implementing strategic sales plans to accelerate growth and increase market share for Saucony. Knowlton will oversee the brand’s field sales agencies and its regional managers.
Erin Flynn, formerly Director of Sales for Saucony Originals, will assume Knowlton’s prior role as Regional Sales Director-East.
Mark Bossardet joins the Saucony team and will serve in the newly created position of Vice President of Global Sports Marketing. Bossardet will be responsible for leading a long-term strategic sports marketing plan in support of Saucony’s overall brand strategy, including the development of a strong stable of international professional athlete endorsers in anticipation of the 2012 London Olympics and beyond.
Bossardet was most recently with Reebok International as General Manager/Vice President of Global Performance Marketing and Communication. Prior to that he was Senior Director of Global Sports/Olympic Marketing for Nike.
Patrick O’Malley has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Global Product. Daniel Sullivan joins the Saucony team as Vice President of Product and will be responsible for leading the company’s footwear designers and product line managers.
Mary O’Brien, formerly Vice President of Marketing, has assumed the newly created position of Vice President of International. Saucony expects to leverage O’Brien’s international experience, specifically in the European market, where she previously held various senior level positions in international sales and marketing for Reebok. O’Brien will be directly responsible for Saucony’s European and Middle East businesses.
