Rudy Project, the Italian crafter of high-quality eyewear and helmets, has announced that Director of Sports Marketing for North America, Chris Lupo, will expand his role within the company and the international endurance sports world by taking on the newly created position of Global Sponsorship Director for Triathlon.
Lupo has been with the Rudy Project family for nearly six years, acting as liaison and sponsorship coordinator for athletes of all fields in North America. In his new role, he will collaborate with triathletes the world over, ‘utilizing his natural athletic acumen to strengthen the bond between Rudy Project and the endurance sports world, and to ensure these multi-talented competitors are equipped with the technical gear they need to elevate their performance.’
“The endurance world is a tight-knit community that I’m proud to be part of,” said Chris Lupo. “As a distance runner in college, I grew to understand the immense physical requirements athletes of this nature would endure. After graduation I began running ultramarathons and noticed the prominence of Rudy Project eyewear among my fellow athletes.
“That’s why I was excited to join the Rudy family in March of 2008 and am eager to take on this role, working alongside triathletes from all over the world. I truly believe Rudy Project engineers the best possible sunglasses and helmets for endurance athletes, and look forward helping grow the relation between us and the world of triathlon.”
The new position of Global Sponsorship Director for Triathlon represents one part of a significant strategic play Rudy Project has recently taken to further its reach in the endurance community.
In October 2013, Rudy Project won the helmet count at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, for the third year in a row, and announced a landmark partnership with the triathlon race series to become the Official Helmet of Ironman for North America.
Combined with being named the official helmet and sunglasses of USA Triathlon (USAT) and the recent launch of the all new Wing57 Aero / TT helmet, Rudy Project is ‘poised to gain a larger share of the triathlon demographic than ever before.’
“[Chris] Lupo is a key asset in our aim to assure the trust of athletes in our brand,” said Cristiano Barbazza, Chairman and CEO of Rudy Project. “His unique background allows him to connect effortlessly with these competitors and assist them to reach the top of the podium. Chris is personable, quick-witted and efficient at what he does. This makes him an ideal figure to work with triathletes of every nationality and ability, pro and age-grouper alike. As we grow the Rudy Project brand and empower athletes around the world, Chris will be there to support those passionate about their sport.”
While Lupo has been working with world-class triathletes in North America for the last several years, he’ll now be managing the sponsorships of international triathlon stars such as 2012 Ironman World Champion Pete Jacobs, 2013 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Melissa Hauschildt, 3 x 2013 Ironman 70.3 Champion Rebekah Keat and two-time Olympic triathlete Tyler Butterfield.
