by Larry EderAs the battle in running footwear gets tougher and tougher, the brands look for people who have unique insights into the business. Mark Coogan, with his experience as a coach, athlete and consumer will be joining New Balance sports marketing.
NEW BALANCE EXPANDS RUNNING SPORTS MARKETING TEAM WITH THE ADDITION OF MARK COOGAN
Boston, January 7, 2014 – Global athletic leader New Balance announced today that Mark Coogan will join the Running Sports Marketing Team at the brand’s corporate headquarters as a full time associate effective January 15th. From his most recent position as Head Women’s Cross Country Coach at Dartmouth College, Coogan will bring his unique expertise to the New Balance performance running team and will be involved in all aspects of the brand’s growing global running sports marketing strategy.
“We are extremely happy that Mark will be joining the New Balance Running Sports Marketing team,” said John Evans, New Balance General Manager of Running Sports Marketing. “Not only will Mark be a great coaching resource for our Team New Balance athletes, but his running knowledge and expertise, coupled with his relationships within the running world will make him a valuable asset as we continue to develop our global athlete, college and high school strategies.”
“While it was a difficult decision to leave Dartmouth, the opportunity to join New Balance was something I just couldn’t pass up,” said Mark Coogan. “New Balance has been really building momentum these past few years and it is exciting to be part of such a great company again.”
The relationship between Mark Coogan and New Balance spans more than two decades. A long-time member of Team New Balance, Coogan was a 1996 US Olympian in the marathon and a seven time member of the US World Cross Country Championships team, as well as being the first Massachusetts runner to break four minutes in the mile. After a coaching consultant role with New Balance, Coogan moved into the collegiate coaching ranks, first at MIT before moving to Tufts University and then Dartmouth College. As the Dartmouth Head Women’s Cross Country Coach, Coogan achieved significant success. In 2013 he led his team to the Heps Cross Country title and a berth at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
About New Balance:
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 is currently the only major shoe company that manufactures athletic footwear in the U.S. with 25% of our sales in the U.S. produced at five New England facilities. The company also operates a manufacturing facility in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs more than 4,000 associates around the globe, and in 2012 reported worldwide sales of $2.39 billion. To learn more about how New Balance Makes Excellent Happen, please visithttp://www.newbalance.com.
