The Ironman Group hired Marieka Barnard as chief marketing officer having worked, most recently, as VP of event marketing for The Ironman Group in the EMEA region.
Barnard joined the organization in 2011 as a marketing coordinator, progressing to her previous position as vice president of event marketing for the EMEA. She succeeds Suzanne Cohen who is leaving the company to pursue other personal and professional interests.
“It gives me great pleasure to appoint Marieka to an executive leadership role. She has done excellent work, cares deeply about our brands and athletes and has earned the respect of her colleagues,” said Andrew Messick, president and CEO for The Ironman Group. As Marieka steps into this important role, we are thankful to Suzanne for her contributions to the organization in helping to reestablish our footing with consumers post-pandemic and wish her the very best in her future endeavors,” added Messick.
In her new global role, Barnard will “define and execute” the Group’s event and product marketing, analytics, digital platforms, and communications channels across all brands, ensuring the message is relevant for each specific community of the various sports the company engages with.
Before The Ironman Group, Barnard worked as a corporate communications specialist for Coca-Cola Sabco before joining the agency Green Room in South Africa as a public relations executive.
