This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Shinola CMO Leaving the Company
Bridget Russo is officially stepping down Friday after five years with the company to take a professional break and possibly start her own business in Detroit.
Detroit--Shinola Chief Marketing Officer Bridget Russo is stepping down after five years with the company.
Crain’s Detroit Business reported that Russo is leaving to take a professional break as well as possibly start her own business in the city.
Her last day with Shinola is Friday, Crain’s said, noting that the company will look internally first for her replacement.
When asked about Russo’s departure, Shinola issued the following statement: “We are grateful for Bridget’s leadership during her five-year tenure at Shinola. We appreciate her dedication to the brand. Everyone at Shinola wishes Bridget nothing but success in her future endeavors.”
Russo joined Shinola in 2012 when the brand was getting ready to launch its men’s timepieces and open its first branded stores, in Detroit and New York. She has helped it grow from a boutique watch brand into one that also now produces bicycles, leather goods, turntables and jewelry, and has 26 stores worldwide.
She initially had consulted with Shinola through a firm called Passion Projects, which she founded, before being hired for them full time.
Prior to her role at Shinola and her work with Passion Projects, Russo was involved in the launch of clothing brand Edun, which was started by U2 lead singer Bono and his wife, as the global marketing director, according to her LinkedIn page.
She also served as communications director for apparel companies Rogan LLC and Rocawear.
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