[dropcap]D[/dropcap]igital media guy shifts gears: Justin Dawes has left MotorcycleUSA.com. “I will be working for KTM as product marketing manager. My time at MotoUSA and 4WheelDirt.com was amazing,” says Dawes. “But it is time for a new challenge with a company that is on the gas!”
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In other OEM news, cat’s out of the bag! Arctic Cat has hired two key players in newly created roles and promoted a third as the company builds its sales and marketing capabilities under new president/CEO, Chris Metz. GregWilliamson becomes Cat’s first chief marketing officer. “Greg joining Arctic Cat at this pivotal point elevatesthe importance of marketing for the organization,” Metz says.

“I have witnessed firsthand Greg’s strategic vision, mastery of the contemporary marketing toolbox and leadership qualities necessary to oversee and cultivate the Arctic Cat brand.” In his former role as CMO at Spectrum Brands he has a lock on several hardware brands, including Kwikset, Baldwin, Weiser and National Hardware.
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In another newly created position for Arctic Cat: Brit Reich, a veteran of the outdoor equipment industry, has been hired as VP of North American sales. Reich is responsible for dealer strategies designed to increase marketshare. The goal is to increase brand recognition in local markets where Arctic Cat believes it is underrepresented. Most recently Reich was executive VP of sales at American Recreation Products where he was responsible for global sales of Kelty, Sierra Designs, Slumberjack and Wenzel. “Brit is an experienced senior sales leader, sharp business person and skilled collaborative problem solver,” says Metz. “Arctic Cat will benefit greatly from his leadership, insight and work ethic.”
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In a related move, Arctic Cat’s former Eastern region sales manager Mike Webster was promoted to director of North American sales. “Mike is a seasoned and respected sales veteran who has extensive powersports industryexperience and a history of success in sales, dealer and market development,” added Metz. In his new position, Webster will oversee Arctic Cat’s entire field sales force in the U.S and Canada.
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Welcome to the Danger Zone! Mike “Danger” Talarico has been promoted to marketing and PR manager for Schuberth North America as the company gears up for another year of growth. Talarico got his start in the motorcycle industry at Intersport Fashion West, where he implemented sales programs for premium European helmets, including the first wave of Schuberth helmets to hit the U.S.

He also spent time at Scorpion USA as director of customer service and training. He was also a helmet and apparel specialist at distribution giant Parts Unlimited. For the past five years Mike has served as technical communications manager at Schuberth North America, where he created an extensive dealer portal to ease the ordering process. Mike is also a factory-trained Schuberth master service technician.
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Plenty of rumblings from V-Twin industry leader S&S Cycle as new boss Paul Langley shakes things up. The latest moves include transferring ownership of the Flathead Power brand back to founder Anders Nygren, hiring veteran industry marketing/communications man David Zemla and stepping up at the AIMExpo. “We decided to discontinue using Flathead Power as a brand for our vintage product line about a year ago in order to consolidate our branding under the S&S Cycle name,” says Langley.

“We still owned the FHP trademark but had no plans to use it, so we decided to give it back to Anders free of charge.” Anders adds, “The happiness when they told me that I could have my old company name back was overwhelming. Flathead Power means a lot to me and my family, as the next generation is taking over the jug juggling. My son Magnus was born in 1995, Flathead Power started in 1993, so he grew up with this. I can only take my hat off and say: Thank You S&S Cycle and the guys involved!”