Planet Fitness, Inc. is expanding into Australia. The country’s first official Judgement Free Zones are located in Tuggerah and Gosford in the Central Coast of New South Wales, and a location in Casula is expected to open in 2020.
Planet Fitness signed an Area Development Agreement with Bravo Fit Holdings Pty Ltd., which will bring a minimum of 35 Planet Fitness locations to Australia over the next several years.
Bravo is a joint venture among U.S. franchisees Bravo Fit, LLC and PF Growth Partners, LLC and a leading Australian fitness operator, Dallas Rosekelly’s Galactic Fitness Pty. The Company has more than 14.1 million members with clubs located in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico.
“We are excited to announce our plans to expand the Planet Fitness brand into Australia,” said Ray Miolla, chief development officer at Planet Fitness. “Australia represents a unique opportunity to grow in a market that combines a favorable operational environment, consumer affinity for U.S. brands, a desirable competitive landscape and an opportunity to develop a large fleet of clubs.”
In other Planet Fitness news, the company appointed Jeremy Tucker as Chief Marketing Officer, effective November 20. Tucker will be responsible for overseeing the company’s national and local marketing, branding, creative development and media, digital and social media, brand partnerships and sponsorships, communications, and corporate social responsibility. He will report directly to Chris Rondeau, CEO of Planet Fitness.
Prior to joining Planet Fitness, Tucker was VP, Marketing Communications & Media for Nissan North America where he served as the U.S. head of marketing and a key member of the executive leadership team. Previously, he served as Vice President, Strategic Marketing for The Walt Disney Company where he oversaw marketing strategy across a market-leading portfolio of entertainment franchises. Prior to that, he held a number of marketing leadership positions at PepsiCo, where he was responsible for national brand innovation, digital and social media strategy and breakthrough brand partnerships.
“We are excited to welcome Jeremy to the Planet Fitness family and to further strengthen our marketing efforts,” said Rondeau. “Jeremy brings nearly 20 years of experience across large-scale, global industries to our brand. His successful track record of driving quantifiable and long-term business results through actionable consumer engagement will be a significant asset as we continue to enhance our national and local marketing synergies and reinforce the attractiveness of the Planet Fitness brand and concept.”
“I am thrilled to join Planet Fitness at such an exciting time in its history and to have the opportunity to further elevate this highly relatable and recognizable brand that so many consumers love. It’s clear that the company has a substantial runway ahead, and I’m eager to partner with Chris and the leadership team to help fuel the brand’s next phase of growth,” quipped Tucker.
