IPD International has appointed Chris Kypriotis as a company partner, with the transition to CEO set for 2025. The company said Kypriotis brings over 30 years of experience in the action sports and surf industry to the role.
Kypriotis’ career spans leadership roles as global VP at Nike Inc., president of Nike Brazil, global VP at Billabong International Group, president and COO of Rusty Surfboards, and positions at Stussy and Mossimo.
“Chris Kypriotis is renowned for his exceptional expertise in global markets, distribution, product merchandising, retail, and strategic growth,” IPD said in a media release. “Under his visionary leadership, Nike Brazil achieved unprecedented revenue and EBIT and established itself as Nike Inc.’s third-largest market globally.”
Before Nike, Kypriotis was the global VP and president of LATAM at Billabong International Group, where he reportedly transformed LATAM into the “Group’s fastest-growing geography, delivering record-breaking growth and solidifying the region’s market leadership throughout his tenure.” He also played a “pivotal role in acquiring and integrating Element Skateboards, RVCA, DaKine, and Nixon into the Billabong portfolio.”
His leadership as president of the European division at Rusty Surfboards was said to have “catapulted the brand to prominence there.” As a founding member of EuroSima, Kypriotis served two terms as vice president and continues to hold a lifetime chairmanship.
“Chris Kypriotis’s addition to IPD marks a monumental moment for the brand as it continues its aggressive expansion across North America, cementing its status as a core emerging brand,” the company continued.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Chris to the IPD family,” said Erik Ingersoll, co-founder of IPD. “With his extensive leadership experience at Billabong, Nike, and Rusty, Chris brings an extraordinary perspective on the industry. His proven ability to navigate complex global markets and drive innovative brand and product strategies is unmatched. His deep understanding of the retail landscape and consumer behavior across diverse markets will be instrumental in guiding IPD’s strategic direction and ensuring our growth is both robust and sustainable.”
In his new role, Kypriotis will reportedly spearhead IPD’s strategic initiatives and oversee all facets of the business, from product development and global distribution to market expansion, working with the existing leadership team to “elevate brand awareness and strengthen IPD’s position in the highly competitive retail landscape.”
Image courtesy IPD International
