Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. announced that Chris Zimmerman has been hired as president of Easton Sports, effective immediately. Reporting to Paul Harrington, President and CEO of Easton-Bell Sports, Zimmerman will lead a unified Easton Sports brand banner that will include hockey, baseball/softball and its new lacrosse offering.
“Were fortunate to have this depth of expertise on board to lead Easton Sports. Chris brings a results-driven approach and a track record of creative and effective marketing on both the equipment and franchise sides of sport,” said Harrington. “With his experience, Easton Sports will now have a level of world-class marketing acumen in line with our legacy of product superiority.”
Zimmerman has a well-established reputation as one of sports leading marketers. He began his career at Saatchi and Saatchi, where he spent 12 years, eventually serving as a member of the New York office’s Operating Board. During his tenure, Zimmerman developed successful marketing campaigns for some of the world’s best known consumer brands like Proctor & Gamble, Wendy’s and Champion sportswear.
In 1995, Zimmerman was recruited to join Nike’s North American Advertising group and received several industry awards, including Adweek’s 1998 Best Campaign for Nike’s “What are you getting ready for?” campaign. In 1999, he was tapped to lead Nike’s U.S. Golf Division, recording significant growth over the next three years while the brand became a major challenger in every key golf category.
In 2003, Zimmerman was asked to take over Nike’s struggling hockey business and revitalize the Bauer hockey brand. Over the next three years, the Nike Bauer brand grew 45% in a flat market, improved profitability and regained its leadership position in the marketplace. Most recently, Zimmerman had a successful tenure as President and CEO of the Vancouver Canucks and Canucks Sports & Entertainment, where he significantly grew the brand and business making it a leading NHL franchise.
Zimmerman will be charged with expanding Easton’s footprint through integrated product and marketing programs driven by consumer insights and designed to improve the brand’s performance for retail partners and customers worldwide. This consumer- driven approach will position Easton to aggressively compete with the sporting goods equipment industry’s leading brands.
“Easton has a long history of creating game-changing equipment that helps athletes perform better,” said Zimmerman. “Im looking forward to building on this great innovation heritage and helping deepen the Easton brand’s connection with athletes around the world.”
Zimmerman will operate out of Easton-Bell Sports corporate headquarters in Van Nuys, CA. In the coming months, he, his wife Emily and children Katie and Ted will relocate to the Los Angeles area.
