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BOSTON, March 19, 2008 – Boston-based global athletic leader New Balance today announced two management changes within the company’s Senior Leadership Team.
Paul Heffernan will assume the newly created position of Vice President, Consumer Experiences for New Balance. This advisory role will develop a global brand master plan and review all consumer touch points for the New Balance brand’s retail presentation in elite running and concept stores as well as its online presence and licensee partnerships.
Global product and marketing efforts for the brand will be led by Joe Preston, who will move over from his role as Executive Vice President - International to fill the position of Executive Vice President, Global Footwear, Product & Marketing.
“Joe’s extensive international experience with our subsidiary and distributor markets will bring a stronger global focus to our product and marketing development as we work to achieve $3 billion in global sales by 2012,” says Rob DeMartini, CEO at New Balance. “In addition, we will now be able to fully view the opportunities we face and the choices available as we rebuild New Balance’s performance positioning and develop a stronger brand experience for our consumers.”
The company will look to replace Preston’s position with a proven international leader who brings a track record of success in growing underdeveloped global markets.
Preston, a New Balance associate since 1995, began his New Balance career as Senior Product Manager - Running and Custom Products, before moving on to lead the Dunham brand in 1998 as Division Manager. Preston was named Vice President International – Asia/Pacific in 2002 followed by Vice President – International in 2005 and was most recently promoted to Executive Vice President, International in January. Preston holds a BS from Merrimack College and earned his MBA from Babson Graduate School of Business.
Heffernan’s career in the shoe industry began with positions at Melville Corporation (Thom McAnn – Open Country) and Converse. He joined New Balance as running product manager in 1985, was moved to the position of diversification product manager responsible for all non-running lines and was named marketing manager just prior to his appointment as vice president, marketing. In 2002, Paul was named Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Design & Development. He is a 1978 graduate of Villanova University.
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. New Balance employs more than 2,800 people around the globe, and in 2007 reported worldwide sales of $1.63 billion. For more information please visit www.newbalance.com.
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