Agency Accelerates Pursuit of Active Lifestyle Consumer Brands With Hiring of West Coast-based Outdoor Industry Professional
With plans to aggressively pursue and expand its presence in the active lifestyle market, Hanson Dodge Creative (HDC) has hired Jill Nickels as vice president, business development.
“Jill’s extensive background in the outdoor industry, combined with her hands-on experience in brand management and merchandising, adds significant strength to the team,” said Sara Meaney, HDC president of strategy and growth. “In addition to the complete marketing experience she brings to the table, Jill has worked for some of the best brands in the business including Mountain Hardwear, Marmot and K2."
Meaney added, “With Jill based in the San Francisco Bay area, Hanson Dodge Creative will be better positioned to expand its reach to the many active lifestyle brands headquartered in the West Coast and Rocky Mountain regions.”
Nickels has worked in the outdoor industry for more than two decades and has experience in all facets of marketing including retail store management, brand-building, visual merchandising, trade shows, product development and consumer-facing environments. As an avid adventurer herself, she not only is a marketer of active lifestyle products, but a consumer of them as well. Nickels is a road and mountain cyclist, runner, skier and triathlete. She is also a longtime member of the Outdoor Industry Association as well as the Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition.
Nickels earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a specialization in photography and ceramics from the University of Michigan. Along with her extensive marketing career, she has continued her work as a professional photographer and artist.