Kimry Blackwelder

Background

About Kimry Blackwelder

A results-driven marketer passionate about creating impactful and aspirational narratives that resonate with audiences by delivering engaging storytelling, experiences and meaningful partnerships. Both iconic and newly established brands and talent know with the right marketing partners and the right conversations powers growth online and offline. My work helps brands and leaders connect to the right conversations and create partnerships that innovate and communicate continuous cultural relevance to achieve their goals. During my 12 years at Nike and private-equity-owned Cole Haan (Apax Partners), I led Global Brand Communications and Partnerships. I directed and expanded key functional areas, including Brand Communications, Media Relations, Brand Partnerships, and Events. My efforts contributed to the growth of the Cole Haan brand from over $500M to nearly $1B in revenue and its expansion into new global markets. I spearheaded the communications rollout for over 75+ high-profile brand partnerships and co-branded lifestyle collections, featuring a broad range of collaborators including Maria Sharapova, Rodarte, and Slack. These partnerships significantly contributed to revenue and customer growth. Alongside my exceptional team, I proudly played a pivotal role in positioning the brand, our products, and partnerships as integral elements of the broader cultural conversation. In my corporate communications work, I designed and transformed brand communication capabilities and processes, and advanced into both internal corporate communications responsibilities after Nike sold the brand to Apax Partners in 2013, and to external / investor relations communications where I played a role in a planned 2019 Cole Haan IPO and S-1 filing. Currently, my business, Blackwelder Consulting, provides expertise in Strategic Communications+Marketing Roadmapping, Messaging+Positioning, Product/Service Launches, Partnerships, and Events. I advise and support clients with ideation and execution of marketing and communication strategies and partnerships. This includes defining and/or redefining key messaging for effective communication internally and externally, online and offline. Additionally, I support clients with new business development strategies, outreach and pitches. A Southerner by birth, a New Yorker by choice, I spent my early career in lifestyle PR, developing and nurturing an overstuffed Rolodex and a zest for collaboration with creative talents and mission driven companies to move mountains, embrace risks and realize exciting, audacious goals.