Chums Secures Top Talent For Revamped Marketing Team

Chums is gearing up to fortify its position as the number one brand in eyewear retainers and outdoor accessories with two strong additions to its marketing department. Outdoor industry notable Ben Falkson has joined Chums in the role of Marketing Director, along with Maddy Garfolo, who has taken on the newly created Marketing Manager position. Ben and Maddy join Chums as part of the initiative to further cement its role as not just the leading brand in eyewear retainers, but as the dominant force in accessories designed for adventure and outdoor activities.

Chums’ humble beginnings date back to 1983, when the brand was founded by a Colorado River guide who was tired of seeing his clients lose their sunglasses while on the water. Chums quickly became the preferred brand of guides, river rats, dirtbags, and other adventurers who considered their sunglasses essential pieces of gear. The brand soon evolved beyond its original cotton eyewear retainer, expanding into floating retainers, uniquely designed dry bags, and other protective accessories to keep essentials dry and damage-free. As the brand continues to evolve on water and land, it is essential that it ramps up its marketing efforts to support the sales team so that brand loyalists, retailers, and newcomers alike know that hanging with Chums is the way to go.

Prior to joining Chums, Ben held the role of Global Marketing Manager for K2 Skis, part of the Elevate Outdoor Collective, as well as marketing roles with GoPro, Delve Media, and, most recently, Sun Valley Resort. Maddy comes to Chums with a strong resume of accomplishments in the CPG, most notably as the creative director for the sustainable skincare brand Earth Tu Face, overseeing package design, copywriting, and more.

“Everyone in the industry knows Chums, but they often don’t know how deep our line goes or realize how important quality is when it comes to protecting the accessories we carry on our adventures. Chums has a lot of exciting innovations in the works, and we want to make sure we’re supporting our loyal network of retailers while also making new consumers aware of how much Chums products can add to outdoor experiences of almost any kind,” commented Falkson.

The fortification of Chums’ marketing department is its latest public-facing effort as the brand looks to grow awareness and expand its product line in solution-driven accessories for both weekend warriors and those who call the outdoors their office.