Cotopaxi, a VC-backed direct-to-consumer outdoor gear brand that dedicates proceeds from each of its products to funding a specific humanitarian cause overseas, named a Backcountry.com marketer as its first vice president of marketing.
Jay Hampton joins Cotopaxi from Backcountry.com, where he served as director of brand marketing at Utah based outdoors company, Backcountry.com. Cotopaxi is based in Cottonwood Heights, UT, while Backcountry.com is headquartered about 36 miles east in Park City, UT.
An avid outdoorsman, Hampton recently worked with Backcountry.com as director of content and director of brand marketing, creating customer retention initiatives and marketing campaigns. Hampton also spent over three years as the director of marketing at fitness website Bodybuilding.com, where he was the 2012 E-Commerce Employee of the Year.
Hampton’s focus on and dedication to the e-commerce space is integral to the vision and direction of Cotopaxi, making him a critical new hire for the year-old company.
Cotopaxi, which is a certified B Corporation, launched in April 2014 and has grown from six employees to 25 in the past 14 months. Davis Smith, CEO and founder of Cotopaxi, has led the company’s growth, raising $9.6M in venture money, including $6.6 million in recent Series A funding, including a recent investment from the founder of Toms Shoes.
“Jay is the embodiment of the new intersection of e-commerce and the outdoors industry, and brings a passionate, focused energy and proven track record to our brand,” Smith said. “We are excited to take Cotopaxi to the next level of high-quality outdoor gear production, without sacrificing our commitment to helping others around the world.”
At least 10 percent of Cotopaxi's profits fund nonprofit organizations that address the most persistent needs of those living in extreme poverty.
