Lifestyle retailer DTLR, acquired by JD Sports in 2021, promoted Antonio Gray to senior vice president of marketing and community engagement. Previously, Gray was the company’s VP of apparel.

In his new role, Gray will oversee DTLR’s marketing and community outreach teams, maximize the retailer’s influence on local and national levels, and enhance brand partnerships, including with Nike, Jordan, Adidas, and New Balance, to expand shelf space in DTLR stores, and connect the brands within local communities and organizations with strategic programs to promote product activations in the retailer’s key markets.

“As an industry veteran and established leader at DTLR, Antonio has the skills and relationships to take our brand to the next level,” stated DTLR CEO Todd Kirssin. “This new role will leverage his existing and well-established brand relationships while seamlessly integrating with our community outreach team to do what DTLR does best: designing unique activations that align with our brands and communities.”

“I’m excited to expand my role at DTLR, taking our partnerships to new heights and working with our teams to create purposeful campaigns that not only generate excitement but strengthen meaningful connections with our audience,” commented Gray. “Through increased collaboration, we will have an even greater impact on the communities that we serve.”

Gray has been with DTLR since 2006. In 2013, he received the SGB Media 40 Under 40 Award as a business leader for making a difference in the industry as an apparel buyer at DTLR. Before that, he held several positions at retailers Merry-Go-Round and Changes in the 90s and 2000s. Recently, Gray was featured in the NBC News Documentary 50 Years of Fly: The Rise, Fall and Revolution of Hip-Hop Fashion.”

DLTR has over 250 stores in 21 states. At the close of its fiscal year ended February 3, JD Sports had 992 locations in North America under the Finish Line, DTLR, Shoe Palace, and JD Sports banners.

In April, JD Sports agreed to acquire Hibbett, Inc., which includes 1,169 Hibbett, City Gear and Sports Additions stores in 36 states. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024.

Image courtesy DTLR