Mountain Bike for Her Issue 4 - Dec/Jan 2015 | Page 14

KK: You are a woman executive in a male- commitments to women’s bicycling. I
dominated industry. How’s that for you? love what Santa Cruz Bicycles is doing
with the Juliana brand — they are offering
JK: I can bring a new perspective to the amazing, high-end product specifically
industry. Not just because I am a woman, for women. And, they are using strong
but also because I came from outside female role models and imagery in their
the bike industry. Prior to BRG, I worked marketing. In the past, I think there was
at Mizuno on golf, running, baseball, a perception that women didn’t need or
softball and volleyball. Before that, I want top-end product, but I think there
worked in consumer products outside is a stronger demand from women for
the sporting goods industry entirely.
product that is not just ‘shrink and pink.’
We want product that is just as good as
KK: Comment on any changes you have what the guys get.
observed in the bike industry for women.
KK: What challenges do you face at the
JK: I am seeing more brands make big job?
CAREER SNAPSHOT
Jessica Klodnicki is Executive Vice
President and General Manager for
Bell Helmets and Blackburn, part of the
newly re-named BRG Sports portfolio.
Jessica is responsible for growing the Bell
and Blackburn brands globally through
innovative products and integrated
brand marketing.
Prior to joining BRG Sports, Jessica
was the Senior Vice President of Brand
Marketing & Management for Mizuno
USA, Inc. where she led consumer
insights, brand development and
integrated marketing across the running,
golf, baseball, softball and volleyball
categories.
Before that, she worked outside
the sporting goods category as Global
Vice President of Marketing for Newell
Rubbermaid’s Fine Writing and Luxury
Accessories Global Business Unit based
in Paris, among other senior roles; and
Vice President of Marketing & Product
Development for Kids II, Inc., an infant
product company. Her first taste of the
sporting goods business came through
a college internship with the US Olympic
Bobsled team.

Mountain Bike for Her | P. 14

JK: My team members and I all face
challenges in design, research and
development, product management,
marketing, digital and sales — no
different than in any other business. We
just have to stay on top of the pace of
innovation all the time and I think we do
a good job.
KK: How was it to attend Interbike this
year?
JK: I am impressed by what I saw. It was
fun to represent Santa Cruz. When people
hear we are from Santa Cruz, they get a
smile on their face. Many people have
had the opportunity to ride or visit Santa
Cruz and love what we have to offer from
a cycling standpoint.
KK: Let’s talk about your background.
JK: I moved here from Atlanta with my
husband Dave. I’ve been at BRG —
formerly known as Easton-Bell Sports
— two-and-a-half years ago. It has
been a lot of fun to work on Bell, which
is a 60-year-old brand this year, and
Blackburn, which will turn 40 next year.
I love uncovering opportunities to bring