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runstylemag.com Fall 2023 runstyle 9 Doolan Joins Salomon Salomon has appointed Steve Doolan as president of the Americas. Doolan, who started his new role in October, joined Salomon from Hoka, where he was VP & GM of Hoka U.S. Doolan will lead Salomon's Americas business from its regional headquarters in Ogden, UT, and will be responsible for driving strategy, operations and growth within the region. He will also serve as a member of the executive board for the Annecy, France-based trail running and winter sports brand. At Hoka, Doolan held a variety of strategic commercial, business development, and sports marketing roles over the past five years. A passionate trail runner, hiker, and resort and backcountry skier, Doolan was born in the French Alps and lived there for a total of eight years during his childhood. New Leadership at ASICS Koichiro Kodama has rejoined the ASICS North America business as president and CEO. Previously, he served as North America CEO from Feb. 2019 until Dec. 2020. Kodama's return means the departure of Richard Sullivan, president, and CEO of the unit, and comes a few months aer the naming of Michael Dougherty as VP of U.S. sales with responsibility for wholesale. On Jan. 1, the unit's Japanese parent will welcome Mitsuyuki Tominaga as its new president and COO. In a statement, Kodama said his objective for ASICS in North America remains unchanged — to help the business achieve sustained success and simultaneously expand brand value and preference. Asics North America generated a 17 percent increase in sales during the first half of the fiscal year to the equivalent of $374 million. PrimaLoft Hires Run Industry Veteran as President Former Saucony leader Anne Cavassa has joined material technology company PrimaLo as president. Cavassa, who le her role as president at Saucony in May aer five years in the position, previously held leadership positions at Brooks, Nike and Timberland. She has experience in both footwear and apparel, from product design and merchandising to customer experience, retail, and brand marketing. PrimaLo CEO Mike Joyce will continue to lead the company as CEO, focusing on long-term strategic activities and direction. Cavassa will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations, and the two will collaborate to advance the company's growth. is move comes about a year-and-a- half aer PrimaLo was acquired in July 2022 by Compass Diversified (CODI) for a purchase price of $530M. (Compass Diversified also owns dial-based fit system company BOA.) Executive News Industry Buzz HOKA Parent to Launch 'Super Sneaker Brand' Deckers Brands is not standing pat. As its two top brands, Hoka and UGG, continue to maintain their respective momentums, the company is preparing to divest its Sanuk brand and launch a new label described as a "super sneaker brand" across various categories that will utilize learnings from both Hoka and UGG. Without offering too many specifics, Deckers indicated that it sees more room for growth by the company in the sneaker world beyond Hoka. And Deckers can leverage its distribution channels and DTC strength with a new brand launch. At Hoka, where Q2 revenues grew 27 percent to $424 million and included a 54 percent increase in direct- to-consumer sales, the brand has begun segmenting wholesale access to its broader line of categories and styles and has decided to push key H2 styles into Q4 to avoid the promotional marketplace this holiday season and be prepared for the launch of the outdoor running season again. "We want to maintain scarcity in the marketplace, full price sellthroughs, and keep this brand moving at a healthy pace," Dave Powers, president, and CEO, Deckers Brands, told analysts in October. Ultra Running Company Acquired by Fleet Feet Fleet Feet, which has more than 260 locations in 40 states, recently acquired Charlotte-based run specialty store e Ultra Running Company (URC) from owner Nathan Leehman. Renamed as Fleet Feet Charlotte– Myers Park, the store will now be run by operating partner Brett Albers, a Hickory, NC, native who also currently leads the teams at Fleet Feet Charlotte– Waverly Walk and Fleet Feet Fort Mill. Several URC employees will become Fleet Feet employees. Saucony Has Eyes on 2024 With parent Wolverine Worldwide undergoing a corporate overhaul under CEO Chris Hufnagel, Saucony is bracing for a difficult final quarter but is optimistic about 2024.With a new chief marketing officer coming on board for the brand and new versions of the Ride, the Guide 17, Triumph 22 and Hurricane 24, Wolverine's senior management thinks Saucony's fortunes will be looking up next year. As for Wolverine, the company has embarked on an ambitious cost- saving strategy aimed at reducing annualized costs by $215 million. A global workforce reduction and $100 million in supply chain and logistic savings are part of the broad plan.

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