Adding broad marketing experience and in-depth industry knowledge to head its marketing efforts in the U.S. and Canada, Scarpa North America this week hired Samantha Killgore as its marketing manager.
Killgore will step into her new role at Scarpa starting January 2. She will oversee the rest of Scarpa’s North American marketing team and direct all aspects of marketing strategy and communications, including web, advertising, marketing collateral, public relations, social media, athletes and events.
Killgore currently works as the North American Marketing Manager at the outdoor apparel manufacturer Rab, where she oversees all of the same aspects of the marketing program that she will oversee at Scarpa. She has held that post for the last four years.
Prior to that, Killgore worked in several different aspects of marketing at the outdoor apparel and accessory manufacturer Outdoor Research, and she also worked in outdoor and snowsports industry public relations at Momentum Media PR. And, before being in marketing, she also held posts at MSR and Cascade Designs. In all, she brings 12 years of industry experience to her new role.
An avid skier and all-around outdoorsperson, Killgore actively pursues all of the outdoor sports for which Scarpa builds footwear.
“We’re super excited to welcome Sam to the Scarpa North America team. She’s the perfect fit in terms of her wide-ranging skill set and experience in marketing, her positive, get-things-done attitude, and the fact that what drives her is the same as for all of us who work at Scarpa a passion for the sports for which we build products,” said Kim Miller, CEO of Scarpa North America. “Sam is the perfect person to help continue to build and evolve Scarpa’s marketing efforts in the U.S. and Canada.”
Scarpa NA Hires Marketing Manager
Scarpa North America named Colleen Nipkow as marketing manager, effective Aug. 1. Nipkow comes from Black Diamond, where she has worked for 20 years.
In her new role, Nipkow will oversee Scarpa North America’s marketing department, leading strategic planning, budget and all aspects of marketing communication, from web, advertising, public-relations and social media to events, athletes, marketing collateral and packaging.
For the last decade at Black Diamond, she has served as marketing manager, overseeing all of the same areas she will at Scarpa. She also has worked with Scarpa previously. Scarpa was distributed by Black Diamond in the 1990s and early 2000s, prior to the northern Italy-based brand establishing its own wholly owned subsidiary in North America in 2005.
In addition, Nipkow brings a passion for skiing and outdoor sports. Along with her direct job experience, she has been an integral part of the Wasatch ski community since taking over Black Diamond’s annual fundraiser for the Utah Avalanche Center in 1994. Under her direction, it has grown from an event that attracted 50 people to one that attracts well over 1,000, and raises in excess of $50,000 a year.
“Hiring Colleen is exciting for Scarpa, not only because she brings such a well-honed skill set and a track record of success doing this job elsewhere, but because she already knows deeply who Scarpa is and what the brand is all about,” said Kim Miller, CEO of Scarpa North America. “Shell be able to hit the ground running and – more importantly – has the skills and perspective to build on the comprehensive marketing foundation weve put in place in North America during the last six years.”
“The Scarpa name is synonymous with innovation and passion for mountain sports,” Nipkow said. “Im excited to be working with the team in Italy as well as all the people here at Scarpa North America. It’s amazing to see how far the brand has come since the establishment of the North American office and Im really looking forward to joining the team and helping Scarpa continue to grow and succeed.”
