WTC introduces new Chief Marketing Officer

Posted by By Gary Roethenbaugh at 31 January, at 09 : 49 AM Print

As reported earlier this month, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has now confirmed its ‘exciting addition to its team’. Erik Vervloet has formally stepped into the role of Chief Marketing Officer for WTC and will oversee the global marketing, partnership, sales, public relations, television and social media efforts across the Ironman, Ironman 70.3, 5150 Triathlon Series, Iron Girl and IronKids brands.

“We are excited to have Erik on board,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of WTC. “Erik brings a unique enthusiasm for and knowledge of our brands. He understands and relates to our consumers, has a passion and commitment to partnership in our space, and has the business expertise to generate powerful results.”

Prior to joining the WTC team, Vervloet was the Vice President of Sports Marketing for the California footwear and apparel company, K-Swiss. Over his four-year tenure, Vervloet launched a new running category and was the visionary behind one of the largest deals in triathlon history, establishing K-Swiss as the preeminent global sponsor of the Ironman Triathlon Series.

Focusing on product development, relationships with athletes, intensive marketing and merchandise – all under a broad vision of creating a dominant brand – he led K-Swiss to become one of the fastest-growing running brands in the industry. Additionally, by engineering four consecutive years of substantial growth in the tennis category, Vervloet took a typically flat category and elevated it in prominence and recognition. Combining his successes in the running and tennis categories, Vervloet ‘generated three years of triple-digit growth.’

Leading into his position at K-Swiss, Vervloet co-founded and acted as Executive Vice President of Kinetic Fitness Systems, a company known for its product line that enhanced overall athleticism through the use of speed, agility and quickness training. Over a span of three years, Vervloet sold product lines to all four major US sports: the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL. The product line is now a part of Life Fitness under the Hammer Strength brand.

Prior to his role with Kinetic Fitness Systems, Vervloet was a world-ranked professional tennis player. He made the transition to coaching while simultaneously owning and operating the renowned Kohala Tennis and Spa at The Hilton Waikoloaon on the Big Island of Hawai’i. In his time at Kohala Tennis and Spa, he acted as Tournament Director for ATP and WTA Tour events, driving all operations, sponsorship, television and media relations efforts.

Vervloet has been featured in a range of media over the years, including: Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, ESPN The Magazine and Sports Business Journal, amongst others. He is also a two-time Ironman finisher.

www.ironman.com

All news Event news Events/races, People, Triathlon