Bringing over two decades of brand marketing
expertise from leadership roles at the renowned Coca-Cola
Company
ST.
LOUIS, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Build-A-Bear
Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) is announcing the appointment of
Kim Utlaut as Senior Vice President
and Chief Brand Officer. Utlaut most
recently served as a General Manager for Franchise Leadership at
The Coca-Cola Company.
Kim joins Build-A-Bear at a pivotal moment
of success for the company following three consecutive
record-setting years.
In her new role, Kim's responsibilities include leading the
continued evolution of Build-A-Bear's brand and communications
strategy, with an increased focus on strengthening and elevating
the valued relationship the company shares with its diverse
consumer base across multiple revenue streams and product offerings
worldwide.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer, Chris Hurt, Kim is expected to contribute to the
business by leveraging her expertise to effectively communicate a
wide variety of offerings, from new product launches to special
guest experiences to personalized memorable moments, all with a
brand-right tone.
"Kim's appointment is a testament to management's focus on the
ongoing evolution of Build-A-Bear as we drive toward delivering
accelerated profitable growth," said Chris
Hurt, Chief Operations Officer. "Her deep expertise in brand
strategy and marketing, along with her innovative vision and
passion, is expected to provide valuable insights as we look to
continue to build momentum for the brand. We are confident her
remarkable background and proven leadership will be valuable as we
focus on opportunities to take Build-A-Bear to new heights,
bringing even more joy to kids and those young at heart across the
globe."
Kim joins Build-A-Bear at a pivotal moment of success for the
company following three consecutive record-setting years. Most
recently, Build-A-Bear has expanded its brand presence with a
growing global retail footprint, the continued advancement of its
digital transformation, and investment in the brand through
exciting collaborations.
Kim spent over 20 years in senior leadership roles at The
Coca-Cola Company. During her tenure, she developed strategic
partnerships with organizations such as the NCAA, U.S. Soccer, and
the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Her
innovative marketing strategies elevated brand visibility and
successfully drove recruitment and retention initiatives. Her
expansive career also includes stints at Sprint and
Anheuser-Busch.
About Build-A-Bear
Since its beginning in 1997,
Build-A-Bear has evolved to become a beloved multi-generational
brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life"
where guests of all ages make their own "furry friends" in
celebration and commemoration of life moments. Guests create their
own stuffed animals by participating in the stuffing, dressing,
accessorizing, and naming of their own teddy bears and other plush
toys based on the Company's own intellectual property and in
conjunction with a variety of best-in-class licenses. The hands-on
and interactive nature of our more than 500 company-owned,
partner-operated and franchise experience locations around the
world, combined with Build-A-Bear's pop-culture appeal, often
fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection with consumers,
and has enabled the Company to expand beyond its retail stores to
include e-commerce sales on www.buildabear.com and non-plush
branded consumer categories via out-bound licensing agreements with
leading manufacturers, as well as the creation of engaging content
via Build-A-Bear Entertainment (a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear
Workshop, Inc.). The brand's newest communications campaign, "The
Stuff You Love," commemorates more than a quarter-century of
creating cherished memories worldwide. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
(NYSE: BBW) posted consolidated total revenues of $486.1 million for fiscal 2023. For more
information, visit the Investor Relations section of
buildabear.com.
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SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop
