Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/523095
8 • June 15, 2015 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com with AIMExpo as an exhibitor since the inau- gural event just a couple of short years ago," said Nixon. "I'm looking forward to lending my experience, both industry marketing and on-site at the show, to the team's vision to add value to the industry and provide an unparalleled experience for all attendees." "Many of us have had the opportunity to work alongside Kevin throughout the years, whether in his role with Twisted Throttle or connecting during a ride with other members of the industry," said Larry Little, VP and GM of AIMExpo. "His passion for powersports, combined with his marketing knowledge and leadership makes him an ideal fit. He's a key addition to the team and we're excited to add his many skills as we continue developing and refining the AIMExpo platform." ROCKFORD CORP. PROMOTES LOWE TO DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Rockford Corp. is proud to announce that it has promoted Tammy Lowe to director of marketing, effective immediately. "Tammy has been with Rockford for more than 25 years and has been associated with the marketing of our brands since the late 1990s," said Theresa Anthony, Rockford vice president of sales and marketing. "As director of marketing, Tammy will remain focused on growing our brands by staying in alignment with the sales and product teams. She will manage the daily activities of the marketing group while developing strategic plans for each of our brands." Lowe started at Rockford in 1988. During this time, she worked in various roles, start- ing out in inside sales, then moving over to the marketing department as the trade show and events manager and marketing services manager. Most recently she was the marketing manager for the past seven years. She has man- aged the efforts of the marketing team to move Rockford forward in digital marketing, has kept its brands visible in the retail stores and has maintained the brands' national exposure at music, sports and life- style enthusiast events. "I've seen the dra- matic upward progres- sion of this company during my time at Rockford, and I am very proud of the international leader it has become," said Lowe. "I've worked with so many great people here at Rockford and throughout the industry. The Rockford name is synonymous with quality world- wide, and I am excited to take on more responsibilities to further the awareness of Rockford's brands and to build on our suc- cess for future growth." KÜRYAKYN ANNOUNCES NEW VP OF BRAND MANAGEMENT Küryakyn Holdings, LLC, a leading manu- facturer of aftermarket motorcycle parts and accessories, has formally announced the addi- tion of industry veteran Steve Veltri as vice president Brand Management. In this new role, Veltri will be respon- sible for leading brand strategy development and execution for Küryakyn, its Per- formance Division, Crusher and Bahn, the new brand of precision- machined, forged aluminum accessories. Veltri's addition bolsters the daily implementa- tion and long-term strategic planning of brand-specific product development, mar- keting, sales and events initiatives, both for- eign and domestic, while ensuring consistent messaging through all channels. "We're very excited and fortunate to have Steve join the Küryakyn Team," said company president Holger Mohr. "We've been putting more horsepower behind three established brands that continue to evolve. Steve's enthu- siastic personality, involvement developing multiple consumer brand strategies and edu- cating dealer and distributor networks will ensure we deliver the right message to the right audience for not only Küryakyn, but also for Crusher and Bahn." Currently based out of Hollister, Calif., Veltri earned his B.A. in business manage- ment from Saint Mary's College in Moraga. Notable industry experience includes more than 20 years with Custom Chrome, Inc., starting as sales representative in 1991 and eventually earning the title of vice president of Sales and Marketing in 2008. In February 2013, Veltri was hired by Küryakyn parent company Motorsports Aftermarket Group (MAG), serving as director of sales for Mus- tang Motorcycle Products. Veltri was also appointed to assist as a management-level team member during the introduction of Crusher and Bahn, as well as with various sales and distribution initiatives for Küryakyn. In addition to his vast industry experience, Veltri is also an avid motorcyclist and lifelong enthusiast of the sport. "There's a lot of positive energy here," said Veltri. "I'm thrilled to be part of the Küryakyn Team, a passionate group of fellow motorcycle enthusiasts. We have great structure already in place within the three brands, and I'm very much looking forward to assisting with brand messaging and the continued delivery of some exceptional new products for the industry." INDIAN MOTORCYCLE GETS OFFICIAL SUPPORT FROM ZAC BROWN BAND Indian Motorcycle, in recognition of Armed Forces Day, on May 16 announced it has signed an ambassador agreement with Zac Brown Band. The band, an avid group of motorcycle and powersports riders, will pro- mote the Indian Motorcycle brand through various brand initiatives, most notably lending support to the company's new partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO). Indian Motorcycle has a proud military history, lending bikes to the war efforts of World Wars I and II and currently offer- ing a motorcycle discount for current and retired military personnel. The company also recently announced a partnership with the USO, donating $100,000 to the organization in 2015. Zac Brown Band has a long history of supporting the U.S. military. The band members are USO tour veterans who have entertained more than 20,000 troops. In part- nership with Indian Motorcycle and the USO, Zac Brown Band will meet with select troops on some stops of its 50-city North American Stadium Tour. This band is crossing the coun- try in support of its recently released "JEKYLL + HYDE" album, its third consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200. "There is a very natural relationship between Zac Brown Band, Indian Motor- cycle, the USO and the military families we all support, so bringing the band onboard as a brand ambassador is both a pleasure and a tremendous value for our partners and our rider community," said Steve Menneto, vice president Motorcycles, Polaris Industries. "Their music is honest and real, with a pas- sion and spirit that resonates with everyone associated with Indian Motorcycle, and they are authentic riders and enthusiasts of the brand. We look forward to collaborating with Zac and the band as we share our mutual passion and values." As one component of its support for Indian Motorcycle and Indian's support of the military, Zac Brown Band will donate tickets to each of its 50 shows for Indian Motorcycle to provide to military person- nel and first responders. Select tour stops will feature a premium concert experience for troops selected by the USO, including a meet-and-greet experience with the band, pictures and autographs, a special video presentation and more. Those stops include: June 4 in Charlotte, N.C.; June 5 in Virginia Beach, Va; July 3 in Denver; Aug. 15 in Phil- adelphia; and Sept. 11 in Chicago. "We are proud to serve as brand ambas- sadors for Indian Motorcycle and are happy to continue supporting the troops through our friends at the USO," said Zac Brown. "Like the USO, Indian Motorcycle shares a history of supporting our nation's men and women in uniform," said Christy Hartsell, USO vice president of Corporate Alliances. "It is wonderful we have the opportunity to work with Zac Brown Band and Indian Motorcycle to entertain troops and their families." PSB Following a successful first year involvement, the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) and Zero Motorcycles, the world's leading manufacturer of electric motorcycles, have announced that the pioneering OEM will return for its second year of exhibiting this Oct. 15-18 at Orlando's Orange County Con- vention Center (OCCC). Highlighting the product lineup from Zero will be its high-performance Zero SR motor- cycle. The company's marquee model boasts the longest battery range of any production electric motorcycle and also has performance capabilities that exceed many of its gas-pow- ered counterparts. For the first time, the Zero SR model, as well as the entire lineup of Zero Motorcycles, will be available for demo rides at AIMExpo Outdoors! "AIMExpo played a huge role in getting us off to a great start in 2015," said Scot Harden, VP Global Marketing at Zero Motorcycles. "In just two short years, AIMExpo has become a major player on motorcycling's global event cal- endar and clearly established itself as the most important show to attend in North America. "From an overall business perspective we cannot only meet dealers and get our product in front of global media, we can talk to real motorcycle buyers as well," Harden continued. "There really is no other show like it in the U.S. We sincerely hope everyone takes us up on the offer to test ride a Zero while they are at AIMExpo this year." Complementing the Zero SR will be the complete lineup of on- and off-road mod- els, including both consumer and fleet spec machines. In recent years, Zero has achieved considerable success with its fleet program, designed specifically for first responders like local police and fire departments, national parks and the military. Additionally, the com- pany will host a special event for its growing dealer network. "Zero has been at the forefront of the elec- tric motorcycle movement, and we're looking forward to seeing their latest innovations this year in Orlando," said Mike Webster, presi- dent, Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group. "If you've never had the opportunity to ride an electric motorcycle, the Zero demo rides at AIMExpo Outdoors! will absolutely open your eyes and will be available to both dealers and consumers on the trade and consumer days. We welcome Zero Motorcycles back to the growing list of OEMs at AIMExpo." More than 350 exhibitors have already committed to AIMExpo in 2015. Exhib- itor presence builds each day, and com- panies looking to take advantage of the AIMExpo platform should contact an AIMExpo account manager toll free at 855-MCShows (855/627-4697). Be sure to stay tuned to the AIMExpoUSA. com website and keep up to date on exciting news as it happens by visiting AIMExpo's social media pages. Like the American International Motorcycle Expo on Facebook and follow on Twitter or Instagram: @AIMExpo. PSB Zero Motorcycles to make AIMExpo return in 2015 HOT NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 TAMMY LOWE Orange County (Fla.) Commissioner Scott Boyd (left) gets a feel for one of the Zero Motorcycle models at the 2014 American International Motorcycle Expo. KEVIN NIXON STEVE VELTRI