Mizuno USA appointed 20-year marketing and business veteran Mark M. O’Brien as vice president of brand marketing & management. O’Brien will lead all of Mizuno USA’s marketing efforts and help brand Mizuno as a frontrunner in the increasingly competitive sporting goods environment. O’Brien will report directly to Bob Puccini, president of Mizuno USA, Inc. and director of Mizuno Corporation.
“Mark not only has a passion for sports and a belief in the Mizuno brand but is a consummate marketer and business executive who earned his stripes from the ground up. His proven track record from his early career success working in minor league baseball, to leading national and global brands within the sports, consumer packaged goods, food and retail industries showcase his leadership and ability to strategically bring brands to the forefront in consumers’ minds,” said Puccini. “Mark’s consumer-centric approach, in addition to his personal and professional background in sports, will enable him to help lead Mizuno to the next level.”
O’Brien’s career started in sports marketing with the Texas-Louisiana Professional Baseball League, Houston Rockets and GMR Marketing. Regarded for his marketing prowess and strategic approach, he was recruited by MillerCoors in 1999. O’Brien quickly acquired additional responsibilities and leadership roles across multiple brands, including Miller Lite and Icehouse. He transitioned in 2007 to Johnsonville Sausage, where he successfully served as a General Manager and Director of Marketing. In 2010 he gained critical retailer experience with HoneyBaked, serving as a company officer and head of marketing where he further honed his consumer-centric approach to business and marketing. Most recently, as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, O’Brien quickly put his marketing expertise in to action through the development and implementation of a new strategic marketing vision and go-to-market strategy.
“Mizuno has been a part of my life since I was a baseball player early on and through high school and college. My deep appreciation for the Mizuno brand has not changed since those days on the diamond,” said Mark M. O'Brien. “The sporting goods industry is evolving as consumers' demands and needs are ever-changing. Opportunity is at an all-time high to reach consumers in authentic, meaningful ways. I feel fortunate to be joining the Mizuno team and be able to champion a brand that I have such a strong passion and belief in.”
O’Brien will begin his transition from his current position at Boys & Girls Club of America to his role at Mizuno starting June 1, 2015.
