Smith appoints Kevin Hyland as new North American Sport Channel commercial leader

Smith appoints Kevin Hyland as

Press release:

Ketchum/Padua (February 24, 2015) – Safilo Group, the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and worldwide distributor of quality and trust, announced this week the appointment of Kevin Hyland as North American Sport Channel Sales Leader responsible for channel sales of the Group’s sports and outdoor lifestyle brands including the iconic Smith brand, Suncloud by Polaroid and future brands in the segment. Effective immediately, Hyland will work closely with the Smith brand leadership and Safilo global commercial leadership team to continue the growth and success of Smith performance eyewear, goggles, snow and bike helmets in the North American markets.

With over 30 years in the sports and active lifestyle arenas, Hyland brings a unique mix of corporate and small business experience to his new role at Safilo. He spent over 25 years at Nike in various sales management roles across the USA, EMEA and Asia-Pacific before transitioning to working with start-up companies in Portland, Oregon where he is based. Having worked with brands like adidas, Converse and Gatorade during his career, Hyland has a solid foundation for managing businesses and leading teams while creating profitability and maintaining authenticity of company direction.




“We are very happy with Kevin’s appointment. He is a great addition to our Sport & Outdoor channel commercial organization,” commented Henri Blomqvist, Safilo Global Commercial Director, “with a strong drive at retail, new investment from Safilo, and a new 5-year strategic plan in place, I think we have a lot of momentum that will lead to growth & profitability for both us and our retail partners.  Particularly for Smith, we think this is the best time for the development and growth of the brand, strong of a rich history of product innovation & authenticity”.

Hyland will officially join the team Monday March 2nd, 2015, reporting directly to Joel Sandoz, Global Sport Channel Director.

About Smith:

Originating from Sun Valley, Idaho, SMITH was founded in 1965 with the invention of the first snow goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam.  With 50 years of innovation and design experience, SMITH is widely known today as an industry leader that pioneers advanced eyewear and helmets that incorporate dynamic technologies, optimized performance and clean styling to fuel fun beyond walls. SMITH seeks to power thrilling experiences in snow, surf, bike, fish and peak performance outdoor adventures with a comprehensive collection that exudes modern style and vibrant personality. To SMITH, the experience is everything. Smith is part of Safilo Group. For more information, visit www.smithoptics.com

About Safilo Group

Safilo Group is the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and worldwide distributor of quality and trust, leader in the premium sector for sunglasses, optical frames and sports eyewear. Design inspired and brand driven, Safilo translates extraordinary design into excellent products created thanks to a superior craftsmanship expertise dating back to 1878. Internationally present through 30 owned subsidiaries and exclusive distributors in key markets – in North and Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific and China – Safilo is committed to quality distribution in over 130 countries around the world. Safilo’s portfolio encompasses proprietary brands – Carrera, Polaroid, Smith Optics, Safilo and Oxydo – and licensed brands Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Banana Republic, Bobbi Brown, BOSS, BOSS Orange, Bottega Veneta, Céline, Fossil, HUGO, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, Jack Spade, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz Claiborne, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Max&Co., Pierre Cardin, Saint Laurent, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tommy Hilfiger. Listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (ISIN code IT0004604762, Bloomberg SFL.IM, Reuters SFLG.MI), in 2013 Safilo recorded net revenues for more than Euro 1,1 billion.

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